Unpacking the Complexity of the Energy Transition

Name: Ulva Nøtland Belt 
Study programme: Masters in Globalization and Sustainable Development, Norwegian University of Science and Technology 

As part of the Enjust program, I had the opportunity to complete an internship in Indonesia and explore the complexity of the ongoing energy transition and its impact on various actors. I gained first-hand insight into how climate change and global warming affect countries and populations differently. Additionally, this experience allowed me to develop valuable perspectives related to my master’s thesis on the Indonesian electric vehicle (EV) battery industry.  

During my time in Indonesia, I developed both professionally and personally. Through multiple field trips, I was able to connect theoretical concepts from my studies to practical, real-world contexts, which highlighted how differently these can unfold in practice. I also grew on a personal level by actively participating in a new culture, experiencing new food, learning a new language, and working in a country different from my own. I am grateful for the opportunity provided through the Enjust program, and I will carry these experiences with me into my future professional and personal life. 

Norwegian Energy Management and Sustainability

Name: Fauzan Raihan Amru
Study programme: Digital Transformation and Competitiveness (DTC) – HI UGM
Student Exchange 2025 at NTNU

Living and studying in Norway has given me many invaluable insights and new perspectives on how things work in the other part of the world. I have given the opportunity to experience various different cultures in NTNU, not only Norwegian, but also different international cultures such as Polish, French, Nigerian, Turkic, Chinese, and more!
 
Thanks to NTNU diverse international student and Trondheim being a very student-oriented city in Norway, it felt very homey straightaway, especially for introverted person like myself. Not only that, I’ve met many new friends either local, international, young, and old that I have grown to have a close bond with. Norway also gave me the opportunity to find solace and exploration, not only the cities, but also the forest, the seas, fjord, and even the countrysides as random as Berkåk where I once visited and every places has its own charm. 

I thank CitRes-EnJust initiative for enabling this opportunity for me and especially to help me better develop my personal improvement both academically and professionally. It has become one of my lifegoals to be able to visit Norway again, promising that someday I will meet with my friends again, and also brings positive contribution through my efforts around me.

Gender and Urban Planning

Name: Azzallea Ega Riesta Christsanda
Study programme: Master’s Student in the Department of Politics and Government Universitas Gadjah Mada 
Student Exchange 2025 at NTNU

My exchange experience in Norway has been incredibly meaningful for both my academic and personal growth. (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) .ᐟ.ᐟ One of the most important things for me is how much this experience has helped shape and support my thesis! Being in Norway, with its strong focus on sustainability and energy transition, gave me access to new perspectives, resources, and real-world examples that I could directly connect to my research. It made my thesis on urban planning and gender study feel more relevant and grounded.

Beyond academics, this program gave me something just as valuable: friendships. I met so many amazing people from all over the world, and we quickly became more than just classmates. We shared stories, cultures, and everyday moments that made the experience feel like home, even so far away. Living in a completely different environment also pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. I became more independent, more open, and more confident in connecting with people from different backgrounds. At the end of the day, this exchange also about learning new things, growing as a person, building lifelong friendships, and gaining experiences that I will carry with me long after the program ends.

Human Rights and Environmental Justice

Name: Cholif Rahma Febriana
Study programme: Master’s degree in Politics and Government, Universitas Gadjah Mada
Student Exchange 2025 at NTNU

My student mobility experience at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway, has been profoundly meaningful both academically and personally. With a strong interest in human rights and environmental justice, studying in a country known for its commitment to sustainability and social welfare allowed me to witness how these principles are reflected in public policy, social awareness, and everyday life. Engaging in an international academic environment broadened my perspective on global justice, environmental responsibility, and inclusive approaches to contemporary challenges. The program also offered outdoor learning experiences through which I was able to visit Norway’s renowned salmon farming industry in Frøya. This moment was especially valuable because it showed that the industry is not only about economic development, but also about sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the fulfillment of people’s rights and livelihoods through responsible resource management.

Outside the classroom, Trondheim offered many reflective and joyful moments. I especially enjoyed hiking to Estenstadhytta and connecting with Norway’s peaceful natural landscape. Visiting Korsvika Beach for the first time while wearing a wool sweater against the cold sea breeze was an uncommon yet memorable experience. Experiencing snow and witnessing the northern lights were unforgettable highlights.

I am deeply grateful for this program and hope to return to Norway for another meaningful chapter in the future! :) 

Disavowal and the Normalization of Extractivism: How the Norwegian State and Social Actors Sustain a Green Identity in the Climate Crisis

Name: Odri Prince Agustinus D Sembiring 
Study programme: Master of Arts in Politics and Government - DPP UGM

Receiving the ENJUST program has been the highlight of 2025 and, dare I say, one of the highlights of my twenties. This opportunity emboldened me to change the direction of my master’s thesis and pursue what I consider a more urgent topic: the Norwegian paradox. My thesis examines how Norway sustains a strong green and climate-progressive identity while remaining one of the world’s largest exporters of oil and gas, focusing on how this contradiction is openly acknowledged yet socially and politically normalized. 

This research led me to interview a wide range of stakeholders affected by Norway’s paradoxical stance on green and extractive activities, including NGOs, labour associations and members of parliament. My meeting with Ola Elvestuen, former Minister of Climate and the Environment and Vice Mayor of Oslo, was particularly insightful. He shared reflections on the political challenges of pushing for a structured fossil fuel phase-out in a thriving oil nation, as well as his perspective on COP30 in Belém. 

Beyond research, I also volunteered at Norway’s first anti-oil-propaganda festival. Overall, I am deeply grateful for this program. Many of these experiences (and more) would not have been possible without the opportunity to study in Norway through NTNU.

Natural Resources Management Enthusiast

Name: Naomy Ayu Nugraheni
Study programme: Master’s Student in the Department of Politics and Government Universitas Gadjah Mada 
Student Exchange 2025 at NTNU

I would describe my exchange student experience as a memorable and prestigious moment in my life. Through this program, I was able to explore many aspects of learning, both academic and non-academic. As my thesis focuses on natural resource management, the courses I took during the exchange significantly broadened my knowledge and helped me examine the power relations employed by various actors in natural resource governance in Norway, a Global North country, and to compare them with those in Indonesia, a Global South country. 

One important realization I gained is that the study of natural resource management cannot be separated from the role of discourse in shaping interactions and relationships between nature and humans. In addition, I had the opportunity to discuss with international students from diverse backgrounds how they perceive energy-related issues, such as the energy transition, climate change, and deforestation. These interactions became a meaningful starting point for building friendships, exchanging ideas and perspectives, and sharing information, while also broadening my worldview. 

As a final note, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the EnJuST Program for the opportunity to study in Norway for one semester. Thank you.

Humanitarian Diplomacy / Paradiplomacy / European Studies

Name: Sayyidul Mubin 
Study programme: Department of International Relations – UGM
Student Exchange 2025 at NTNU

The opportunity to study for one semester in Norway, especially at NTNU, is one of the most precious experiences in my life. There are many things I want to explore, as this is my first time going abroad. From trying to make friends with Norwegian and international students at NTNU to challenging myself to connect with the Red Cross community in Trondheim, this experience has been truly meaningful. It is a great achievement in my life, especially as a student who has a strong interest in diplomacy and European studies.

Honestly, at first, it was not easy for me to adapt to NTNU’s learning system, but I took it as a personal challenge. I took the opportunity to become a reference group member in one of the courses I attended. Through this experience, I gained the privilege of having semi-informal discussions with the professor outside the classroom.

Lastly, I experienced various aspects of Norwegian daily life, such as hiking, ice bathing, fishing, grocery shopping at KIWI, and exploring, meeting, and negotiating with locals through FINN and Facebook Marketplace.

Thank you, Enjust, for making this opportunity possible.