Thomas Saether
Studies in Tel Aviv were not the obvious choice for a recently graduated economist with away too high student loan. Although the warm Mediterranean climate – with its persuasiveness on a Norwegian with a natural liking for everything above freezing temperature – was certainly part of the explanation, it was the opportunity to combine the field of Middle East politics with security studies that was the decisive factor in my decision. After struggling through five years of economics studies without having the slightest interest in the subject, one might say that I was finally in the right place.
The experience so far has not made me regret. Prof. Asher Susser´s guidance through the Arab-Israeli conflict, Prof. Azar Gat´s introduction to the development of modern strategy, and Dr. Uriel Abulof´s presentation of the international system have all improved my understanding of Israel, the Middle East, and international politics. Furthermore, the security field trips to Israel´s border offered what most other academic programs´ don´t: first-hand experience that removes the gap between theory and practice. The intercultural mix of students also makes the program an interesting experience (there really should be a bunch of anthropologists sitting behind a double-mirrored window, watching us in class while taking notes(.
Israel is not a typical destination for Norwegians looking to study abroad. Nor is the field of security the typical interest of students from a country with a self-image as the “peace-maker” of the world. Nonetheless, national security is an intrinsic part of a state´s affair, and so I hope to obtain a job within this field in the Norwegian government after finishing my studies at Tel Aviv University. But, as all prospective strategists, I also have a plan B. I enjoy writing, so journalism is not an unthinkable career for me (which might be more in line with the chic lifestyle I have successfully acquired while living in downtown Tel Aviv, with all its restaurants, cafées, bars, clubs, and beaches). In any case, I believe that the analytical and practical framework provided by the program is a valuable asset in the pursuit of a career, and I would highly recommend it to students who are interested in pursuing a degree in security.
