I've found my passion

Master's Discipline: Freshwater ecology

Why have you chosen to study biology?

I chose to study biology because I was really interested in, and curious about how the world works, and how living organisms work. I have always had this huge curiosity about living things, how do they live and how do they survive etc. 

Then during my studies I’ve found my passion which the university has given me ample opportunities to develop and learn about; which I am currently writing my thesis about. It was absolutely not what I thought I would work with when I started my studies, but I am very happy this is where I ended up!

Why did you choose to study at UiT?

I chose to study at UiT because it was very different from where I lived before, and also far enough away that I had to become independent. I had never been in Tromsø before, and I have always loved alpine environments, and learning about the subarctic is super interesting.

Which parts of the programme have been your favourite so far, and why?

My favorite parts of the programme have of course been the field work, lab, the freshwater ecology courses and my masters thesis work.

I love being hands on and getting to work with the theory we learn about on the blackboard out in the field. In the lab you also get to challenge your expectations and presumptions which help you learn in so many ways.

The freshwater ecology courses have really been the ones impacting me the most, and also have ended up being where I feel most at home. The society of freshwater ecologists here is really cozy, and there is such an expertise. Being able to contribute to this is really fun, and really makes me feel like I have an impact.

I have to say, however, that the master's thesis work is the most exciting. This is my own project, which has never been done in Norway before. I really feel like I am contributing to science, and the best part is that I get to do what I love the most. Mycology! 

What do you think of the student life at UiT?

The student life here is great! The biology student society is active all the time and even within the classes people get up to do nice and fun stuff together all the time. 

The city is great, and the nature here is even greater. Almost nothing can compare with walking out the door for ten minutes and then being in nature with no houses in sight, as well as being able to go straight into the city afterwards to do whatever you want to there. 

Where do you see yourself working after your education?

I hope to continue with a PhD after my masters, and I also believe I want to stay in academia. My hopes are currently to stay at UiT and work as a researcher here. If my possibilities within academia at the Institute of Arctic and Marine Biology  don't go so well, I'd love to work either with the museum as a mycologist for the fungarium there, or I'd love to work with NINA, IMR, or Akvaplan-niva! There is so many possibilities for biologists here, and I hope it stays this way!