"Study in Norway Interviews with Robert Sanga"
Personal
information
Name: Robert Sanga Haungo
Date of birth: 12.01.1980
Country of origin: Burma/Myanmar
University/University College in Norway:
Molde University College
Main field of study: Petroleum Logistics
Time of your stay in Norway: over 6 year
“Questions
& Answers”
1.
Could you tell us the main reasons for choosing Norway as your study
destination?
-
I came to Norway as part of resettlement program for refugees in March,
2008. I had been in New Delhi, India as a Burmese refugee for the past 11 year.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to study in all those years in English
medium school/college/university. I did my bachelor degree in Political Science
Honor from Dyal Singh College, Delhi University and then a master degree of the
same subject from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
After I got a permanent residential
permit in Norway, I could have applied for study in other country. However, I
did rather choice to study in Norway because I like the educational institution
here. The teachers/professors are well qualified and most of them do all their
best to teach in an understandable ways, so that students may have a better
understanding of the subjects, which can be useful in actual work places. I like the culture of openness, helpfulness,
kindness and good relation between students and teachers.
2.
Why did you choose the institution you are/where at?
- I choose to study at Molde University
College because it provides one of the best educations in logistics in Norway.
A student can study up to a PhD in logistics science. And it’s the only place where you can study
about Petroleum Logistics in Norway. Molde University College has a good
campus/branch in Kristansund which is also known as “Høgskolensenteret I
Kristiansund” where I am studying Petroleum Logistics now. It’s located close to offshore supply base
center known as Vestbase AS. All these combinations are very attractive to me, which
was why I choose to study here.
3.
What was your idea about Norway before you arrived?
- My uncle Dr. Lal Lawm Thanga was in Oslo,
Norway from 1998 to 2000. It was before he immigrated to USA for further study
in dental surgery. So, he told me many things about Norway before I myself
immigrated here. I was surprised to know that the sun did not set for six
months during summer and sunset for six months in winter in Northern Norway. I
just do know how to imagine myself in living such places. My uncle did not tell
me much about Norwegian dialects.
I thought that Norwegian speaks good English
and that I may able to speak to everyone in English.
4.
Which are the main differences from your country when it comes to your life as
a student?
- A student life in my country of
origin, Burma/Myanmar had never been easy. We were dependent on our parent to
support us whereas Norwegian students can easily have access to Norwegian State
Education Loan/fund (Lånekasse) for their study. There was not much freedom in
the class in Burma as the teachers decide almost everything. Moreover, we have
to wear school uniform. Norway have 10+3 educational system, which means a
student has to study minimum 16 year to get a bachelor degree. Thought I had
studied 10+2 system in India, it’s not the same as Norwegian 10+3 system. Burma
does not have such system either. These are some of opposite things in
comparison with student life in Norway.
5.
In your opinion, what is the most important academic outcome as an international
student in Norway?
- The most important academic outcome as
an international student in Norway is to have a much deeper understanding of
the subjects, which is to have even a practical work experiences as well.
6.
Are there any personal experience as a foreign student in Norway you would
highlight?
- Firstly, it has never been easy to
learn Norwegian language. But I did complete Norwegian language Advance Level
course, which is also known as Bergenstest within two year of my arrival in
Norway. That’s very helpful to me. Otherwise, I will not be having good
Norwegian friends and friends from the immigrant community living in Norway as
I have got now. Secondly, I sometimes feel a bit stress during exam not only
because of health issues, but also because it’s expensive to study here.
7.
What would you tell students from your country about university life in Norway?
- It’s important to learn Norwegian
language even though it may not be a formal requirement at certain college and
university. Know what you can do and what you cannot do. Knowing our own limit
is best. Try to overcome your weakness and be a good example for other
students. It will be good if you can find part time job while you study in
Norway. Try to be smart with your study
& exam so that you may score the best result.
8.
What do/did you miss the most when you are/where away from your country?
- I miss my family and relatives the
most. I belong to Chin community of Burma and I miss my community and friends.
I also miss the food. However, restaurants in Norway offer varieties of foods,
which are tasty. Nevertheless, it has never been the same as my own Chin
traditional foods.
9.
In your opinion, what is the most important outcome of being an international
student?
- I have studied ten year in Burma/Myanmar,
eleven year in New Delhi, India and over six year in Kristiansund, Norway. One
of the most important outcomes of being an international student is that I know
how to integrate myself with different kind of students and societies from
different countries. I can easily adapt the cultures, languages and way of living
even in a straight land, far away from home.
10.
What are you doing now?
- I am studying second year, fourth
semester in Petroleum Logistics at “Høgskolensenteret I Kristiansund” which is
part of Molde University College. It’s a fulltime study program, which I will
be completing by June, 2016. I got both loan and scholarship from Norwegian
State Education Loan/Fund for my study and I have part time job as to have
additional support for my living and study expenses. I use to write for my blog,
and take videos from different places, which I sometime upload them in my
youtube channel. I use to attend the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints every Sunday, and try to spend my
weekend in a meaningful way.
11.
What are your future plans?
-
I will try to complete my present full time program of study in
Petroleum Logistics by June, 2016. That is my goal as of now. Then I will try
to find a suitable job and if I do not get that immediately, then I will
continue to study a master degree in Logistics, probably a master degree in
Petroleum Logistics. My home country Burma/Myanmar have a lot of natural gas
& oil, which are mainly export to Thailand and China. Many international
and multinational big companies are there along with Norwegian Statoil. So, if
I do not get a suitable job after completing a master degree in logistics
science in Norway, then I will not take another chance to miss some of the most
promising job opportunity in Burma/Myanmar. That would be possible only after getting
Norwegian citizenship which I will be having one in the near future.
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