For many, studying alongside a hectic job may seem challenging, but for an engineer with extensive experience in the oil industry, intercultural studies at NLA University College became a door opener – both personally and professionally.
– I chose to start intercultural studies at NLA after many years in working life. Being able to combine online studies with work has been a fantastic opportunity, says Ida Doksæter, who started the one-year program in the autumn of 2022.
Working in the oil industry involves daily contact with colleagues from different countries and cultures. This sparked an interest in learning more about how cultural differences affect the work environment and communication. After completing the one-year program, she decided to continue with a bachelor's degree at NLA, which she plans to complete in the spring of 2026.
Learning that delivers results
– The studies have given me new insights, both about myself and others. I have learned how we can handle and solve challenges related to intercultural issues in society. This is a competence that is valuable no matter where you work, she says.
Through her studies, she has also had the opportunity to participate in a short exchange stay via Erasmus+, at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic.
– It was incredibly exciting to study intercultural topics in an international environment. The stay gave me new understanding that I now use in my daily work to create a better work environment and better interaction with colleagues from different cultures.
A study for the future
Intercultural studies are not just about understanding other cultures, but also about how to build bridges between different perspectives and create dialogue.
– In a world that is becoming increasingly globalized, intercultural understanding is important in many industries – from private business to public agencies and educational institutions. The study at NLA also has engaging teachers who really bring the subjects to life, she says.
– Along the way, I have learned a lot that I can take with me into my own working day when meeting people from several different cultures, so that both I and they can have a better working environment and a better understanding of each other both at work and privately. I now see the importance of having an intercultural understanding, and I think that these are topics that are important to study in relation to many different industries, both in private business, educational institutions and public agencies.
