Hanna Mary Pettersen and Hallvard Nøstdahl pack up after another information day to spread the word about SEA-EU and the importance of international engagement. Photo: Adrian Svendsen Bensvik
Hanna Mary Pettersen is the leader of the Student Organisation at Nord University as she has been captivated by assisting students in all matters, big and small. This has led her to take a break from her bachelor's studies in International Relations at Nord University.
She is also enthusiastic and engaged with the university alliance SEA-EU, as is Hallvard Nøstdahl. He is equally passionate about student issues across borders.
"It is a golden opportunity to learn about other cultures. We get to travel and meet other students. We also organise things ourselves, such as the summer school which was held for the first time in 2024. It will also take place in 2025," they say.
SEA-EU is also about building networks across borders.
"It’s fun to meet students who are passionate about the same things as me," says Pettersen.
Both are now looking forward to the next gathering, which will be held in Malta at the end of November. Here, the students will take over Nord University's Instagram account.
"I joined for the first time this spring and was warmly received. It will be great to meet them again in November," says Nøstdahl.
Hanna Mary Pettersen joined SEA-EU before becoming the leader of SON. She speaks highly of the network.
"It can be a bigger leap to choose international positions, but we are two people traveling together. We also talk together with the members of the Student Council," says Pettersen.
He joined in the spring of 2024 and is already enthusiastic.
"We meet digitally once a month and physically twice a year. You get to collaborate across borders and meet new people. There's a lot of exciting things happening in SEA-EU now," he says.
Sometimes they keep in touch even after their term ends.
"It’s a diverse group, and you always find someone. We still keep in touch with people who no longer hold their positions," says Pettersen.
They each serve two-year terms, so there is always someone with experience. SON advertises the positions before each annual meeting.
About SEA-EU
The SEA-EU alliance constists of nine universities:
- Nord University
- University of Gdansk (Poland)
- Kiel University (Germany)
- University of Brest (France)
- University of Split (Croatia)
- Parthenope University of Naples (Italy)
- University of Algarve (Portugal)
- University of Cádiz (Spain)
- University of Malta
Together, the alliance has more than 150,000 students and 18,000 employees. The universities in the alliance aim to strengthen the coastal research and education field, and promote key areas of collaboration such as internationalization, sustainability, digital transformation, openness, and democracy.
For Nord University, the SEA-EU alliance is a unique opportunity to further develop the university, make Nord University more visible, and gain international recognition.
About SEA-EU
The SEA-EU alliance constists of nine universities:
- Nord University
- University of Gdansk (Poland)
- Kiel University (Germany)
- University of Brest (France)
- University of Split (Croatia)
- Parthenope University of Naples (Italy)
- University of Algarve (Portugal)
- University of Cádiz (Spain)
- University of Malta
Together, the alliance has more than 150,000 students and 18,000 employees. The universities in the alliance aim to strengthen the coastal research and education field, and promote key areas of collaboration such as internationalization, sustainability, digital transformation, openness, and democracy.
For Nord University, the SEA-EU alliance is a unique opportunity to further develop the university, make Nord University more visible, and gain international recognition.
