After high school in Porsgrunn, Thuva Louise Oterholt moved to the capital to study film. After two years at a vocational school, she started a film company, but after a few years in the film industry in Oslo, she wanted a change
- My plan was to work in film, but after four years in Oslo, I felt like something wasn't quite right. I missed gaining new knowledge, the opportunity to learn and participate in discussions that weren't about film. I needed “a refill” of some sort, especially since I noticed my creativity was also declining a bit.
At the age of 22, she applied for a bachelor’s degree in global development at the University of Agder in Kristiansand
- It’s a bit funny but I didn’t realize I had applied for a program taught in English; it dawned on me just before I was about to start – hehe. In hindsight I'm actually I’m quite happy about that, as I’m afraid I wouldn’t have started if I had known beforehand.
The bachelor’s program at UiA marked the beginning of her journey into academia and internationalization
- I’m really glad I made the choice to go ahead and complete the degree, because I initially thought I was a person who couldn’t study at a higher level – that I wasn’t smart enough. It turned out I was, and that’s one of the best things I’ve done!
The International Flavour and the Choice of Master’s Programme
Throughout her bachelor studies, she had the opportunity to travel a lot, did an exchange in Italy, conducting data collection in Jordan, and attending a field course in Uganda. Through this, Thuva developed a taste for international opportunities, and eventually returned to Oslo to pursue PECOS
- One of the reasons I chose to apply for PECOS was that it is taught in English. Through my bachelor’s degree, this became my academic language, and I wanted to continue developing myself. I looked at various degrees abroad, but I was (believe it or not) a bit tired of traveling by then and wanted to settle down in Norway for a while.
Thuva applied to various master’s programs, including Peace and Conflict Studies at UiO
- It was one of the few programs I had looked into where the website indicated a high chance of getting a job afterward, and where they actually addressed possible career paths. With these type of discipline studies, I think it’s something many think about; what do you “become”? You don’t get an official title, so having some guidance on possible career paths was helpful.
After (initially) not getting accepted into PECOS, she moved to Troms? to start a master’s in visual ethnography there
- I arrived in Troms? after a three-day drive in a RV - unpacked all my things, and woke up the next day to the message “You have been accepted into PECOS in Oslo.” Then I realized that I wanted to challenge myself and headed south again, she laughs.
In Oslo, a good group of friends awaited her, along with a new circle of friends at PECOS
- The program had a very good reputation, both academically and socially, and it turned out to be very true! Both the specialization options, the teaching, and the study environment were great. The PECOS cohorts are smaller "classes," and because we are so few, we get to know each other very well.
- And you really go through thick and thin together – academically and in many other ways. For many, for example, quantitative methods is challenging, but we got through it together and became in a way very close by experiencing the same “traumas,” she laughs.
Thuva describes a very open and inclusive study environment, without sharp elbows and competitive spirit
- “PECOS-ians” help each other, and during lunch breaks, we talk about everything and nothing. And we continue to keep in touch; some were at my wedding recently. By the way, it reminds me that I need to remember to invite the gang for this years “julebord”!
Master’s Thesis and Road to USN
As a social planner in the Student Council, Thuva expressed her outgoing side and creativity – something reflected in the title of her master's thesis: “A Massive Hangover of the Past.”
- Haha, yes – I felt a bit creative there! My thesis is a case study of the “post-agreement generation” in Northern Ireland, meaning the generation that was promised peace and was born after The Good Friday Agreement, which was reached as a solution to the conflict known as “The Troubles”.
As part of this work, Thuva spent three months living primarily in Belfast, with some time in Derry/Londonderry to collect data, and in the analysis, she examined the aftermath of the conflict and how narratives are passed down through generations
- I also looked at how what happened has influences identity, belonging, and individuals’ lives, wanting to supplement the quantitative research in the field.
While working on analyzing the data she had gathered in Northern Ireland, Thuva began to search for jobs
- I started applying for jobs after I returned from the data collection, so around April, and it was quite nice to between working on my master’s thesis and job searching, because then I was focused here or there all the time. I sent out one application, then focused on the analysis, not on whether I would get a response to application X, and that worked well.
- Searching for a job is in many ways a hassle, especially when you get “ghosted” and don’t hear back at all. Or you find that you receive rejection responses months later. I sent out at least 10-15 applications. The first interview I received was actually for the job I have now, she smiles.
The position as Higher Executive Officer at the International Relations Office at the University of South-Eastern Norway came up somewhat by chance, but after defending her master’s thesis in June, Thuva went into the summer break with a job starting in August secured.
Shitsloads of Excel Sheets and “Soft” Peacebuilding
She has been well-received at USN and experiences significant trust and responsibility from the very beginning. In her position, she works broadly with the fields of exchange and internationalization, and she definitely believes that her background from two internationally oriented study programs positively influenced her selection
- Yes, at the interview, I noticed that having international experience was definitely an advantage – both in terms of studies and also the fact that I had traveled quite a bit, both as part of and aside from my studies. Additionally, I think that experience from the film industry also contributed – as "spice" on my CV along with some previous experience from organizations, volunteer roles, etc
- I have a lot of contact with various people from different countries, and with my academic background, it’s easy to immerse myself in new contexts and cultures. In my job, I am responsible for following up with students before, during, and after their time abroad, as well as with international higher education partners and incoming students at campus. The ability to easily digest large amounts of information, critically filter out and compile it in an accessible way, are skills that are very useful in the labor market.
Specifically, the work tasks are divided between promoting exchange, processing applications for exchange, and following up on international networking work
- Right now, for example, we’re in the case processing period, so it's a lot of office sitting, and I always have an extremely large number of Excel sheets, Word documents, and websites open. It helps to have good study habits in my muscle memory!
- Before and after the processing, I work a lot with promotion and information work (of exchange studies), and there are many meetings – both in plenary and one-on-one guidance. Here I benefit from my experience of working independently – for example, with my master’s thesis, but also from various collaborations, both from my studies and time in the film industry. And I get to move around much more than in the sitting period, she laughs.
Even the “traumas” from the methods courses have come in handy
- Yes, absolutely – both throughout the studies and now I find that it’s a huge advantage to have had those subjects as well – both quantitatively and qualitatively. Many of my tasks are often like a puzzle that needs to fit together as well as possible, and a methodological approach is very useful and effective for that.
- I’ve never had a photographic memory, so from elementary school onward, I had to learn good work techniques to take in knowledge – rules, little songs and such. I believe that creating systems and seeing connections is easier with a methodological foundation.
The work tasks are varied, and as part of the job, Thuva participates in workshops and section meetings with colleagues, and they also travel to conferences around the world
- There’s quite a bit of independent work, so I’m glad we also have a lot of joint arrangements, and that it’s possible to discuss things with colleagues even if we’re physically in different places. And it feels very meaningful to contribute to mobility and closer contact between people from different countries.
- Listening to how others do things compared to how we do things, and in many cases seeing that we are quite similar can be really interesting. Not least seeing that we often share the same challenges – despite all the differences that are of course also there.
Before Thuva delivered the alumni speech at the PECOS graduation in spring 2025, she reflected on the relevance of her education
- I pondered a lot on that before I gave the speech, and at first, I was a bit like, “Hm, how is my education really relevant to my job?” And then I concluded that in many ways, we are engaging in a form of soft peacebuilding: By creating arenas and facilitating meetings, allowing people to experience and study (and live) in other countries, often with quite a different culture, we contribute to knowledge and competency sharing, collaboration, and often friendships across borders. It is both very relevant and not least beautiful to be a part of!
Tips for Students Who Want to Work in the Field of Internationalization:
Then I would have to say
- go on exchange or have some form of international experience,
- have something besides studies to draw on – as long as you can demonstrate the transferability of that, it’s relevant, and
- don’t overthink grades and results – other engagements can often be just as useful.
Thuva Louise Oterholt
Study program: Master i Peace and conflict studies
Graduated: 2024
Job title: Higher Executive Officer
Employer: University of South-Eastern Norway