"Every day we experience and learn something new, both staff and students."
Do you wish to study peace and conflict?
We offer studies in Nepal, where you will gain a practical understanding of this complex and exciting field. Seminar leader Anna will tell you more about what you can expect from the study programme.
This text is translated using AI.
View the original article here.My name is Anna, and in recent years I have worked with and studied development, peace, and global challenges in South Asia.
In 2018, I was a student in Nepal myself, and for the last three semesters, I have worked as a seminar leader for the course Peace and Conflict Studies.
I have a master's degree from the Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM) at the University of Oslo, where I wrote my thesis on migration and social mobility in Pokhara, based on fieldwork in the city.
The task was written in collaboration with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), where I have also worked as a research assistant on similar themes and issues.
My role as a seminar leader in Pokhara involves supporting the students in their studies by teaching and holding seminars, planning field trips, structuring the schedule, guiding group assignments, and assisting professors and guest lecturers.
In addition, I do my best to support the students through a semester that offers a lot of new experiences and many challenges in a foreign culture.
Peace and conflict studies in Nepal address complex themes in South Asia. Some of my favorites include Gandhi-inspired philosophy, non-violence, India-Pakistan relations, and developments in Afghanistan.
Nepal's unique peace process after years of conflict and political instability, as well as the tremendous development Pokhara has undergone over just a few decades, I also find very interesting.
In an increasingly conflict-ridden world, the knowledge of creating lasting peace and managing conflicts is of great importance, I believe. Peace and conflict studies provide tools to critically analyze global structures and regional challenges.
Pokhara is a dynamic city in rapid development. Living the urban life in the city combined with short distances to traditional villages and magnificent nature creates a unique context for understanding the country's social and cultural dynamics.
Living in a developing country like Nepal, with weak infrastructure and a range of challenges, provides you with experience in handling unforeseen and somewhat demanding situations.
These experiences, combined with the academic content of the study, are extremely valuable for future studies and professional life, where the ability to adapt and understand complex contexts is central. For me, at least, these have been essential lessons and skills.
The best part about being a seminar leader in Pokhara is getting to know all the interested, fun, and wonderful students! Every day we experience and learn something new, both staff and students. It facilitates tremendous personal development.
Pokhara is an incredibly exciting city, and Nepal is definitely a country to fall in love with – full of amazing people.
