Q&A

Ómar Őrn Karlsson

Ómar Őrn Karlsson is an exchange student from Iceland who is at AUBG for only one semester, but is eager to learn as much as possible about Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe. “I knew I wanted to go to Eastern Europe,” Karlsson said. Of the few choices he had, he wanted to go to Poland and Bulgaria most. Karlsson said Bulgaria seemed to be more exotic than Poland. “It was terra incognita,” he added.

In what sense is Bulgaria exotic for you?

I didn’t know anything about it. I [knew] no one who traveled or studied here. Bulgaria was “off the map” for me. How did people react when you told them you are from Iceland? Some were really surprised. And I enjoyed meeting Americans. Every one of them told me: “Oh, Iceland. Greenland is full of ice, but Iceland is nice.” It is a common phrase.

Why did you come here?

I came here to explore a new culture, American style education has nothing to do with it. I have never been to Southeastern Europe. It’s common for people to apply to a university right after high school in this region.

Is it the same in Iceland?

Actually not. I started studying scenography – it is set design. I started studying at the school in Norway – Romerike Folkehøgskole. It is not like secondary education and you don’t get any certificate upon graduation. It is a Scandinavian phenomenon when you take one year off after high school and study whatever you want. Young people learn what they want to learn before the university. So I studied set design there.

What did you do afterwards?

I wanted to continue doing [scenography], so I went to Italy. I started studying in Rome for one year. Then I wanted to change schools and found one in Brescia that I wanted to attend. I moved to Milan, which is near, and began to prepare for that school. Then in 2008, a week before school started, the Icelandic economy crashed, so our currency became of very little value. I didn’t want to spend all that money on school so I decided, one day before I should have paid the tuition fee, not to attend the school and went back to Rome instead and started working. Then in mid-December I saw that the Icelandic universities, because of the situation in Iceland, had decided to accept applications for spring enrollment, which they usually don’t, so I decided to go back home in January.

Where were you studying at in Iceland?

I was studying at Akureyri - it is a small town in North-West of Iceland. I was studying there for about a year.

Are there any significant differences between AUBG and your university in Akureyri?

There are differences. Maybe it is because people at my university are a bit older. Here it feels more like at high school. Especially at some classes. It is usual for professors to tell students as if they are kids, “Be quiet!” I don’t think that would happen at my home university. Here is also a more relaxed atmosphere.

So, what is your major now?

My major is Social Science - a bit different from scenography. It is a hard field to get into, you have to push yourself ahead. But I like social sciences issue. Are there any classes at AUBG that suit your major? At AUBG I am taking two political science classes, two economics classes and one anthropology class. […] Social science is a really broad field. It is perfect for people like me who do not really know what they want to study.

What is your favourite class?

I definitely like Introduction to Politics most of all.

Do you like the AUBG community?

A lot of things are organized here [that] I really like. SG party was really good.

Did AUBG meet your expectations?

Definitely yes. It is really comfortable here. I could imagine studying at AUBG for three years. But it is also a bit hectic here – you are constantly surrounded by people.

What are your plans after graduating?

I am thinking about going straight to my Master’s. I really enjoy school. It might be possible that after another year of studying I might be a bit tired of it. Maybe I’ll take some time off to work or travel.

What is your dream job?

I don’t have a clue what I would like to do yet career wise, but I think I’d like to do something with some diversity, possibly involving traveling.

Any unusual hobbies?

My hobbies are really typical, I think. I like movies, music, books, traveling and all that. I also like snowboarding and hiking.

Is there anything you dislike?

I really can’t think of anything. I am open to everything and everyone.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Relaxed, tranquil and calm.