Fresh air and friendly lecturers
At 24, Marvellous Chukwuemeka Okechukwu has moved from Nigeria to Lillehammer to pursue a master's degree, shifting from an engineering background towards business intelligence and operations.
Although this is his first time in Norway, the transition has been a positive one. The school's welcome programme helped him connect with other international students, while living with Norwegian housemates gives him opportunities to practise his Norwegian.
Academically, he appreciates the friendly professors, regular lecture breaks and time for independent study.
Coming from Nigeria, the climate has also been a noticeable change. But one thing has quickly become a favourite: "The air is very, very fresh here. The air is actually my favourite thing about Norway."
Looking ahead, Marvellous hopes to stay in Norway after graduation and find a job here. He is particularly interested in building a career in business intelligence or operations analytics, using data to support better business decisions and improve operational processes.
Aiming to build a life in Norway
"I wanted to develop my analytical and technical skills and learn how data can help organisations make better decisions," says Ahmad Abdullah Rehman.
Originally from Pakistan, Ahmad has a bachelor's degree in economics. He chose Business Analytics because he wanted to understand how data and technology can shape business decisions.
But moving to Norway is about more than getting a master's degree. At 23, he sees his studies in Business Analytics as an opportunity to develop new skills, meet people from different backgrounds and eventually build a life in Norway.
Having spent three months in Lillehammer, he is particularly positive about the practical approach to teaching. While his previous education in Pakistan was more theory-based, he appreciates how Norwegian professors focus on preparing students for professional life.
And his ambitions reach beyond graduation. Ahmad hopes to settle in Norway, pointing to the clean environment and equality as some of the things he values most about the country.
Pursuing a big dream
For Muhammad, moving to Norway marked his first experience of going abroad. Now in his first year of studies in Lillehammer, he is combining his background in marketing and pre-engineering through a degree that brings together business and information technology.
"It's a mixture of 50% IT and 50% business. That's why I chose this degree," he explains.
His decision was motivated by both the study programme and Norway itself. In fact, he was already familiar with the country through football and remembers following the Norwegian national team's success with friends back home in Pakistan.
Settling into life in Lillehammer has been an adjustment. He describes the town as peaceful and quiet compared with bigger cities such as Oslo. At first, he was surprised by how quiet Sundays could be.
“When I came here, I was literally confused. Why do people not go outside on Sunday?” he says.
He has since adapted to a different rhythm, often spending Sundays studying, working on assignments or resting. Alongside his studies, he works part-time as a chef's assistant at a local restaurant.
"Robert Frost's words, 'And miles to go before I sleep,' beautifully reflect my journey and future ambitions. I see this master's as an important step towards my ultimate dream of achieving academic excellence and pursuing a PhD. I hope to fulfil not only my own ambitions but also my mother's dream of seeing me become a PhD graduate," says Muhammad.
