Claudia McPherson, Liveris Academy Vice-Chancellor's scholar, recently participated in a student exchange to Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); her adventure and its impact on her leadership development will stay with her forever. Claudia shares about her time away here.
When I left Australia on my way to Norway for exchange, I knew I was entering one of
the most exciting and also challenging adventures of my life. I had heard countless stories from friends who had previously gone on exchange about how amazing, exciting, and transformative their experiences were, but that didn’t stop my trepidation. The opportunity to study overseas wasn’t just a chance to build my technical skills at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), it was also about challenging myself to open my worldview, change my perspectives, and to use these skills to one day become a leader with strong cultural fluency and empathy. While Norway had always interested me, I would have never thought it would be my home for the next 6 months. Everything was new, different, and a constant reminder that I was out of my comfort zone – but I quickly learnt to adapt, be flexible, and understand that growth happens when you lean into the unfamiliar.
In Trondheim, the city I would spend the next 6 months in, I lived in Moholt student village. Moholt was the main student housing facility in Trondheim, and was home to a bustling, open, and friendly international community. I quickly established friendships and met many new people, and learnt the importance of community – especially when you’re far from home. I was so excited to make friends, but initially felt nervous – these were the people who would make or break my exchange experience, and I wanted to make a good impression. I was extremely lucky to come across many opportunities for friendship, right there in the student village – the student village common room (Loftet) frequently ran trivia events, movie nights, jam sessions, and weekend hikes. By attending, volunteering, and sometimes simply saying yes when someone asked if I wanted to join a hike or a ski trip, I discovered how lasting connections often begin with the smallest actions—an invitation, a smile, or simply having the courage to introduce myself.
At NTNU’s Gløshaugen campus, I studied cybernetics - a field that aligns with my background in mechatronics and computer science at UQ. While similar to the academic environment at UQ, there were some key differences. There were far less contact hours, and aside from an ad-hoc help session every now and then, the university exclusively taught through lectures. My Norwegian classmates were extremely shy, and tended to stay in their pre-established circles, but as the semester went on I began to make friends and work together in class. This provided me with a new insight into how different educational cultures approach problem-solving. It also reinforced the importance of flexibility in leadership: not every team thrives under the same style, and in order to lead with empathy, I have to understand everyone’s unique style and adapt to individual needs.
While I learnt a lot from NTNU’s academic environment, it was the extracurriculars that comprised the most formative part of my exchange. NTNUI Koiene is a student-run cabin society that owns and maintains a network of 25 rustic cabins scattered throughout the forests and mountains of Trøndelag. Almost every weekend I would be invited to or organize my own group for a hike to one of these cabins. These trips were far from easy, and I’d often find myself on long treks through deep snow, carrying food and firewood, sometimes hunched against heavy rain or ice. Through these difficult but extremely rewarding trips, I learned that leadership outdoors often looks different than in the classroom: it is about making sure everyone is keeping up, encouraging those who are struggling, and making practical adjustments when, inevitably, the conditions change. On one trip, when we were caught off-guard without snowshoes in a 3km stretch of extremely deep snow, I stepped up and motivated my friends, making sure that we were on track with breaks to reach the cabin before dark. While challenging, these were the moments that built my resilience, my humility, and helped me understand the power of nature. Accepting that and adapting to it is a lesson I have carried back into other parts of my life.
Through NTNUI, Norway’s largest student sports association, I decided to push myself in other ways - I joined the karate society and the breakdancing society, which were both sports that I had no prior experience in. At first, I felt intimidated, but I gradually realised that leadership is sometimes just about being willing to be vulnerable, to learn, and to support others even when you’re not the best or the most confident. By showing up consistently and contributing enthusiasm, I became part of these communities, and in turn, they shaped how I view inclusion and encouragement as leadership traits.
One of the most memorable parts of my exchange was volunteering as a chef for ISFiT, the International Student Festival in Trondheim - the world’s largest festival on global politics and society run entirely by students. I had prior experience being a professional chef, yet I was handed the responsibility of managing deadlines and dietary requirements for hundreds of participants. At first I was overwhelmed, but by asking questions when I was unsure, and helping others, I became more comfortable. This experience tested my ability to lead without authority. I was not in charge of the kitchen, but I led from below by maintaining calmness, encouraging teammates, and ensuring we were on track and maintaining efficiency. By the end of ISFiT, I had gained not only time management and organisational skills, but also knowledge that leadership doesn’t only come from those in charge.
Exchange also gave me the chance to explore other parts of Norway. Twice, I had the chance to head further north than I’d ever been before and explore the arctic. In February, I travelled to Alta and then the North Cape (the northernmost point of Europe), and then later in April I joined friends for two weeks of hiking and sightseeing in Tromsø and Lofoten. Standing at Europe’s northernmost point, with icy wind whipping around my face and steep cliffs on all sides, I felt the magnitude of my personal problems shrink into nothingness. Lofoten, with its gorgeous peaks rising from the fjords, showed me the true beauty and tranquility of Scandinavia. Both of these experiences highlighted the importance of adventure and curiosity in leadership – having the chance to become immersed in the beauty of nature helps me to recontextualize and realise the insignificance of my own problems.
Despite the beauty and majesty of the Norwegian environment, the wonderful friends I made were by far the best part of my exchange. By going hiking or dancing with Norwegians and cooking elaborate meals with my French and Italian friends in Moholt, I made friendships that were guaranteed to last. After the exam block, I visited friends in their home countries - Austria, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. Staying with them gave me deeper insight into their cultures, and I was incredibly grateful for the generosity and trust they showed allowing me to live with them and their families during my travels. This experience reinforced one of the most valuable leadership lessons I learned abroad: great leaders cultivate relationships, and you can’t lead without a strong support network behind you. I’m so lucky to have made such strong, long-lasting connections that I believe will stay with me for life.
While my exchange was such a chaotic whirlwind of fun, nervousness, excitement, and new experiences, upon reflection I gained so much insight, perspective, and leadership skills. I learned how to be adaptable – no matter the situation, I adapted my actions to the situations and people around me. I gained resilience, staying calm and positive in difficult circumstances. I developed collaboration skills, living and working with people from so many different backgrounds. I built the courage to be vulnerable, trying new sports, hiking through unforgiving mountains, and even occasionally attempting to speak Norwegian. Most importantly, I expanded my global perspective, engaging with new friends from across the world and understanding more about cross-cultural leadership in a global context.
I gained so much from my semester exchange in Norway. The amount of personal growth, cultural immersion, and leadership development that I experienced was only possible through a drastic change of context, and I am excited to implement these skills in my life back home. I returned home with not only new technical knowledge, but also a stronger sense of who I am as a leader: someone who values inclusion, resilience, and community. Most importantly, I built friendships and learnt lessons that remind me that leadership is not about me, but about the people around me - whether on a snowy trail to a cabin, in a busy kitchen, or just in the everyday challenges of life.
