From a master student to a peace researcher
Kendra came all the way from Seattle to study at PFI. She had a great time and now works as a reseacher in Oslo.
Where did you learn about this program?
On the PFI website, primarily
What is your current working place and what do you do?
I work as a researcher at the International Peace Research Institute in Oslo(PRIO).
Kendra works on a variety of research projects, including on education in crisis situations (such as armed conflict, etc.)
What was the subject of your thesis?
The educational reintegration of returned refugees and IDPs into the formal school system in Sierra Leone.
It sounds like there was fieldwork involved in your thesis. Would you tell us about that experience?
I completed two months of fieldwork in Sierra Leone for my masters thesis, and it was absolutely fantastic. I really prepared and planned for it, though, which made the experience that much better.
Even if fieldwork is mainly about a reseach project, people end up learing about a lot of other things as well. I made a lot of friends and learned a lot about doing research but also about Sierra Leone and about myself.
Can you please describe your experience of studying at the University of Oslo?
I had a great time at the UiO and in the program students were friendly.
Kendra still points out that Oslo is expensive for students, but she assures me that there are lots of free or low cost things to do.
Do you feel that studying in this particular Master program has given you any advantage in your working life/career?
I think it opened the door for me to work at my present job at PRIO. I believe it is also very advantageous to have studied in a foreign country, because you are also learning a lot about Norway and Norwegian culture and society, not just your masters program.
Do you have any tips for current or incoming UiO international students?
Even though Norway is a cold place, and Norwegians are not always very friendly, it is still important to make connections with other students and go out and participate in social activities, especially when it is cold and dark outside Kendra says.
Kendra also think that making an effort to learn some Norwegian will make a big difference in your stay in Norway. When it comes to writing the thesis, she says that that it is important to think about what you are interested in and have experience with, both in terms of the topic and/or geographic location if you plan to do fieldwork, and how that is going to be useful for you afterwards in getting a job or going on with more studying (i.e. a PhD program or something else).