Åsmund Tveitevoll has been working in health, sports, and education in a number of countries for more than 15 years – including Abu Dhabi, Bali, Korea, and Australia. He holds two master’s degrees and is currently completing a PhD in sports science.
“Much of my career has been spent on international projects. Still, I feel the need for professional renewal. That’s why I applied for the Global Health courses at the University of South-Eastern Norway,” says Åsmund.
Gaining New Perspectives
He is taking all three master’s courses in Global Health: Humans Meet Humans, Humans Meet Animals, and Humans Meet Technology.
“It has been surprisingly refreshing. Even with extensive experience from international work, I find that the program gives me new perspectives, especially through meeting fellow students from different fields and parts of the world,” Åsmund says.
In the course Humans Meet Humans, he and his fellow students discuss how healthcare systems are built differently, how expectations of health vary, and how culture, technology, and society shape the way we understand health.
“It challenges your own assumptions,” he says.
He is now also taking Humans Meet Animals, which provides exciting insight into the relationship between humans and animals.
“Understanding how this connection can foster coping, security, and calm opens new dimensions in work related to health and development. The challenge is that you just want to dive deeper into every direction,” he says.
The final course, Humans Meet Technology, is the one he is most excited about.
“I’ve previously had a clear performance focus through sports and physiology, and I’ve also helped develop the training technology company Alphatek. But here I get to explore how technology can be used in a broader, more health-oriented way with a focus on prevention, quality of life, and accessibility,” says Åsmund.
“Opens the Doors to New Adventures”
Åsmund is currently working in the United Arab Emirates. The country is making major investments in preventive health and public health, with ambitions to become one of the healthiest populations in the world. In that context, understanding health from a global, systemic, and interdisciplinary perspective – exactly what Global Health at USN provides – is essential.
“For me, this program is not just about academic development, but about keeping my curiosity alive. I haven’t had a permanent position since I was 20, but I’ve always said yes to new opportunities. That has given me incredibly rewarding and challenging international assignments, allowing me to combine my passion for travel and discovery with working on topics I truly care about,” Åsmund says.
“Global Health gives me both academic depth and a network that strengthens my future work – and expands your global network, which can in turn open the doors to new adventures. I would absolutely recommend Global Health at USN to anyone who wants to understand health in a broader context – whether you're at the start of your career or, like me, still an ‘eternal student’ with many years of experience in the field,” he says.