This autumn, three UiT students are trading Arctic landscapes for vineyards and mountains as they begin their GLOBSEC-funded semester exchange at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. For all three, the exchange represents more than mobility—it is a chance to grow academically, personally, and culturally.
Andreas Jigrap sees the exchange as a unique opportunity to challenge himself beyond what is possible at home in Tromsø. He looks forward to immersing himself in a new culture, meeting people from different backgrounds, and gaining fresh academic perspectives. Academically, Andreas is excited about Stellenbosch University’s strong reputation and the possibility of engaging with new research environments. Encouraged by the positive experiences of South African exchange students who previously came to Tromsø, he is confident this semester will be formative both for his studies and his future career.
For Ingeborg Gusdal, the exchange feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She hopes to broaden her academic horizons while experiencing South Africa’s rich cultural life. Alongside her studies, she is looking forward to exploring the country’s nature—from mountains and wildlife to the famous bouldering routes of Rocklands—and, admittedly, discovering local food and wine along the way.
Håvard Dale applied for the exchange to challenge himself both academically and personally. With a strong interest in risk management and societal security, he is eager to study these topics in an international context and to experience different approaches to learning. Beyond the classroom, Håvard looks forward to living in South Africa as more than a visitor, engaging with everyday life, learning how culture shapes security perspectives, and building lasting international connections. He hopes the experience will strengthen his independence, adaptability, and confidence as he prepares for his future career.
The GLOBSEC project is proud to support these exchanges, which lie at the heart of the project’s ambition: preparing students for a global field of societal security by exposing them to different contexts, perspectives, and lived realities. We look forward to following Andreas, Ingeborg, and Håvard on their journey, and to welcoming future exchange students back to Tromsø in return.