"It was a pleasure living and working in Norway. Norwegians take work-life balance very seriously and have a healthy and pragmatic attitude in the workplace"

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Darragh Donnellan, I’m 23 years old and I come from Ireland. I study Political Science and Intercultural Communication for Business at Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena, Germany. I am interested in languages, international politics and travelling. My hobbies include fitness, hiking and playing board games. 

Why did you want to become an intern at UiA? 

During the 2024 Autumn Semester I did an internship at UiA International Office (the Global Lounge). I saw the position advertised and I was really motivated to apply because I had visited Norway before, I love the culture and I had learned some Norwegian already. The idea of living in Norway and diving deeper into the culture excited me. Luckily after I did the interview I was selected for the internship. 

What were your first impressions upon arrival? 

I was amazed at how organised everything was as well as how relaxed and friendly people were. I was also impressed with my accommodation directly on campus. I loved how the campus is located in a forest area which means you can easily just go out and explore.

I was also delighted to see that there was a lake beside campus which you could swim in during summer.

I liked how Kristiansand has a small-city vibe yet has so much to offer in terms of activities. 

The internship was challenging at times, however I developed many new skills in organisation and planning.

What is it like working as an intern in the Global Lounge? 

During my internship I got the chance to meet many wonderful people; both staff and students. The internship was challenging at times, however I developed many new skills in organisation and planning. My colleagues were all very supportive and kind. I also had the opportunity to attend special events and go on trips, such as the ESN trip to Preikestolen. 

How is it like to live and work in Norway? 

It was a pleasure living and working in Norway. Norwegians take work-life balance very seriously and have a healthy and pragmatic attitude in the workplace. In the summertime I had time after work to go to the beach, go swimming or to play sports. By December, the sun was rising when I started work and setting by the time I got home, so I spent the evenings doing indoor activities such as playing board games or going to the gym. 

What has been the most surprising fact about Norwegian culture? 

The first thing that I noticed in Norway is how digitalised everything is. There is an app for everything; transport, groceries, student ID. I used cash only once while living here. I also notice that brown cheese is ubiquitous in Norway, whether it be on waffles, bread, you name it. I really miss brown cheese since I left here. 

Do you think your experience at the Global Lounge has helped you develop your personal skill set? 

For sure! I think I have become much better at listening to others’ problems and giving guidance. People came to me in the Global Lounge with all sorts of problems and requests; signing forms, looking to join organisations, looking for directions, problems with courses, personal issues.

I have also become more flexible and pragmatic in my thinking as I had many different tasks to carry out such from making coffee to answering emails and organising events. Furthermore, the workday was also very unpredictable so I needed to be disciplined in my planning. 

When you are abroad, go out, meet and befriend other people - of all nationalities. Use the opportunity to push yourself outside your comfort zone and learn new skills.

How has your experience at the Global Lounge helped you towards your career goals? 

During my stay at UiA I became very interested in the topic of Dual Use and Export Control. At my home university in Germany we have a significantly large number of students from Russia, Iran and the People’s Republic of China studying in all disciplines. I noticed that this is not the case at UiA. I later learned that this may be linked to certain Norwegian government policies around transfer of knowledge as well as UiA’s advertisement strategy. I am now considering specialising in this topic and finding a career in this field. 

What are the highlights of your time as an intern? 

The most memorable experience I had at UiA was the ESN Preikestolen trip. We spent the day exploring Stavanger and then we spent the night at a cabin in the countryside. The next day we hiked up to the cliff and looked down at the breathtaking view over the fjord. Halloween was also a highlight; going to parties and getting to meet and talk to so many students. I was in charge of the Instagram account of the International Office and having one of my reels get over 250 likes was definitely also a highlight. 

What advice would you give to other students who are considering applying to the internship? 

I think that you should not hesitate to go study or work abroad - just do it. When you are abroad go out, meet and befriend other people - of all nationalities. Use the opportunity to push yourself outside your comfort zone and learn new skills. Learn some of the local language and get to know about the local culture. Take time to go on trips and explore the country you are living in.