Mike Nitz, who is a professor of Communication and Media Studies at Augustana University, first taught at ACN in 2004. Twenty years later he returned to teach a communication class for the 2024 Summer School. 

“I have always loved ACN.” Mike states, “It just feels like home.” He has visited Moss many times, and stayed in touch with his contacts from ACN since he taught here 20 years ago. 

During his Summer School class he particularly enjoyed the opportunity to use Norway as a ‘country laboratory’ - giving students opportunities to experience local food and drink, social nuances and cultural interactions that provide crucial context to in-class learning. Teaching this class has turned into a highlight of his time in Norway.

Mike has visited Norway numerous times, and has a hard time deciding what his favorite place in Norway is. In 2023 he had the opportunity to visit Telemark - touring the Vemork plant that had a crucial role for the resistance movement in Norway during World War II. During this year's visit, he went to Åndalsnes and Ålesund - and states that these locations have scored top spots on his list of favorite places in Norway. 

When questioned about his future travel plans, he is quick to state his bucket list destinations; Svalbard, Narvik and somewhere he can go on a Northern Lights Tour with overnight camping. Mike has his eye on a particular type of tour which is offered in locations like Tromsø and Bodø, where you can stay in an ‘Arctic Dome’ in combination with campsite living and dog-sledding. Sounds spectacular!

Mike believes that studying abroad is an important part of education, and highlights the importance of experiencing how things are done and seen differently in other countries. He believes study abroad offers students the chance to get out of their comfort zones by exploring and understanding other people’s viewpoints.

 To clarify, he states: “It doesn’t mean you have to forsake your opinion, but you have to be respectful and open to others.” 

He encourages students to be curious - both intellectually and culturally. He states that you can learn so much from simply observing people and challenging yourself in terms of things like food. 

Mike believes that the value of study abroad cannot be understated - referencing a study done on Fortune 500 companies that found that all surveyed CEOs had lived overseas at some point in their life, insinuating that the skills you develop abroad may be crucial in the workplace later in your career. 

ACN is a great place to get your study abroad experience, according to Mike. He believes that the campus provides a comfortable and safe learning environment, while still offering a unique arena for cultural exchange. There are many programs in Norway that offer study abroad, but ACN is the only program where Norwegian and International students intentionally study alongside each other. 

“It is that togetherness that makes ACN unique.”

Thank you so much to Mike Nitz for joining us here in Norway this summer - we hope to see him back here soon!

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