-Where did you learn about this program?
I came across this program, during a short visit to Norway. In that point of my life I was looking to attend graduate school back home in New York. While in Oslo, I researched the masters programs offered at the University of Oslo and I realized it was the right fit for me.
-Where are you currently working?
At the moment I am just focusing on my masters, but this summer I had the pleasure to intern with the New York City Council, as a Research and Legislative intern, and The Bronx Borough Presidents office, as an Urban Policy intern.
-What was the topic of your master thesis?
My topic will be a comparative study between Norway and The United States: on the rationale and strategies of internationalization in higher education.
-Why did you choose this Master program?
I felt that this program is a great program because of the well rounded and very knowledgeable faculty members. I also feel I will not be getting a better opportunity to be challenged academically, in addition to all the opportunities that it will open in the United States because of the uniqueness of the program.
-Can you please describe the experience of studying at the University of Oslo? My experience studying at the University of Oslo has been great. It has been a lot of work but it has shaped me as a better individual because it has educated me in topics that I was unfamiliar with. My peers have also been a great deal of my personal growth and allow me to discover new aspect of myself in many positive ways.
-Do you feel that studying in this particular Master program has given you any advantage in your working life/career?
Yes, it has opened several doors for me so far in the United States. Employers and Organizations have pointed out that my grad subject has been vital and quite unique. The comparative and international education masters program has given me a new outlook in my future in terms of careers aspirations, where I want to be able to make a difference in my community back in New York City.
-You conducted fieldwork before you wrote your thesis. Could you tell us about that experience?
It was very comprehensive, time consuming and nerve racking but yet I loved every minute of it. I had the pleasure to collaborate with former faculty members from the University at Albany and New York University, that once guided me while I was an undergraduate at those universities.
-Do you have any tips for current or incoming UiO international students? Incoming UIO students in general: sleep and rest as much as you can before you start your graduate program because there will be very little of that later.
-What are your thoughts about how the studies given by the Department make you ready for the future?
It has open my world tremendously, and allowed me to collaborate with other students from all walks of life.
What is the purpose of education in your opinion?
I believe that education is the foundation for a greater society because education produces tools to improve the ways of living. For example, a strong medical program will produce great doctors for a better health care system, law schools will produce more honest lawyers for a better judicial system and a solid education system will produce more intellectuals, as an instrument to improve society for the upcoming generation.
The full interview is published in Pedagogisk Profil, no. 1/2013: http://www.uv.uio.no/livet-rundt-studiene/pedagogisk-profil/