Internship Stories: International Environment and Development Studies

During your studies, you can undertake an internship that aligns with your interests, whether in NGOs, research, international and national organisations, advocacy work, or elsewhere. Below, you can discover inspiring stories of where our students have undertaken their internships and how these experiences have shaped their academic and personal journeys.

• Lalithya Abeyrathna: Intern at Habitat Norway, Spring 2026

  

  I completed my internship with Habitat Norway during the spring semester of 2026 as part of my Bachelor’s programme in International Environment and Development Studies. Habitat Norway is a civil society organisation that works with urban development, participation, and social inclusion by connecting Norwegian urban debates with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN-Habitat New Urban Agenda. 

  During my internship, I conducted literature reviews on participatory urban governance and urban safety, attended board meetings, contributed to organisational processes, and followed the development of the “Safer Cities/Neighbourhoods for all” initiative. 

  My personal highlight was gaining insight into how volunteer-driven organisations create meaningful dialogue and connect actors across different sectors and countries while working toward more inclusive and sustainable cities. 

• Miguel Casas Reyes: Intern at Seva Mandir in India, Spring 2026

  

  I had the pleasure of doing my internship in early 2026 with Seva Mandir, a development NGO working with rural communities across Rajasthan, India. I chose to work on their WASH programs, in particular, community-based solid waste management systems.

  The internship allowed me to apply theories from development studies directly to practical organisational work and strengthened my understanding of how participation, governance, and policy-making operate in real-life contexts. One of the most valuable parts of the experience was observing how global urban development ideas are translated into local action through collaboration, networking, and advocacy. 

  The activities included field visits, interviews with staff and workers, as well as the analysis of waste collection cycles and operational challenges in and around a Resource Recovery Centre. In this internship, I was able to apply knowledge from my classroom and field lectures about sustainable development, WASH, governance, and qualitative research methods.

  What made my internship rewarding was that, by linking field observations with academic literature, we were able to turn the insights into practical recommendations, effectively bridging theory and practice. The resulting outcome of my work was a practical handbook for NGO staff containing site-specific solutions for challenges related to composting, waste segregation, worker welfare, and waste processing.

  I learned so much from being exposed to a professional environment and further developing my analytical skills. Most importantly, through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of the realities of development work and its challenges in complex contexts. My personal academic highlight was seeing firsthand how the development theories we learn in the classroom translate into practice and having the opportunity to learn directly from practitioners and communities on the ground in India. But let's not forget that, besides everything I learned professionally, one of the most valuable parts of the experience was the people I met. The friendships, connections, and memories I made during my time in India are something that I carry with me, and that will inspire me for a long time.

• Diana Nabil Mokhlis: Intern at Bergen Carbon Solutions, Spring 2026

  

  During the spring semester of 2026, I had the opportunity to intern at Bergen Carbon Solutions (BCS), a Norwegian technology company that transforms captured CO₂ into green carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes. These materials can for example be used as conductive additives in lithium-ion batteries, enhancing their performance while supporting decarbonization and the transition to a more circular economy.

  During my internship, I worked primarily with market research and analysis, exploring strategic market opportunities through a scenario-based approach. Using the theoretical foundation from my studies in International Environment and Development Studies at NMBU, I was able to analyze how sustainability attributes can create both environmental benefits and commercial value.

  The experience gave me valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges involved in bringing innovative green technologies to market. Among the highlights of the internship were visiting the laboratory where the technology is developed and getting to know the great team at BCS.

• Kristin Grøthe: Intern at KFUK-KFUM Global, Spring 2026

  

  I completed my internship during the spring semester of 2026 as part of the bachelor’s programme in International Environment and Development Studies at Noragric. During my internship, I worked with the youth and development organisation KFUK-KFUM Global, where I contributed to the development of new educational resource materials on peace, democracy and youth participation.

  My main tasks included analyzing existing training manuals, developing activity ideas, and helping design engaging educational content for children, young people, and youth leaders. Through the internship, I strengthened my skills in communication, facilitation, and project work. One of the biggest highlights for me was being a part of a passionate community working towards a shared goal.