Øystein Hovi Rognerud
I grew up in a small town in Norway called Elverum. Actually I grew up 7km East of Elverum, in a tiny place called Hernes. Less than a thousand people live there and my elementary class had 12 students, including myself. It was great! We did stuff people picture Norwegian kids doing: sometimes skied to school and held class in the forrest. I then went on to attend Elverum High School, one of the ten largest high schools (1150 students) in Norway. I was student body president and senior class president (russepresident).
In May 1998, few weeks before I graduated from high school, I received an academic scholarship to Brigham Young University, USA. There I focused my studies on Economics, Math, and Statistics, but I also had upper-level studies in German and Philosophy.
After my second year I began as a teaching assistant for Dr Skarda in Math 112 and Math 113 (Calculus I and II). I applied to become a teaching assistant for Economics 110 – Introduction to Economics (first year Economics), but to my surprise I was offered an upper-level teaching assistantship for Economics 378 – Mathematical and Statistical Economics – by Dr Cardon. He is a remarkable teacher and person. He was the first one to truly appreciate my knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to make students interested in the fields of Economics and Math. The Economics Department faculty is amazing, and my time there has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. After being a teaching assistant for Dr Cardon, I went on to become a teaching assistant for Dr Mackay in Economics 382 – Intermediate Price Theory II (microeconomic theory). Dr Mackay and Dr Cardon are much alike in their ability to make students want to learn the material, and their knowledge of the material and love for their profession knows no boundries. Nothing is messed up and every professor loves to teach, and they would like nothing else than see their students blossom and gain as strong an interest for their field as they have.
My last year at BYU was one of the most hectic years of my life. I was President of the Economics Club, Chairman of ANSA USA, teaching assistant for Dr Mackay, taking classes for both a Ph.D. in Economics and preparatory classes for my newfound desire: Becoming a physician.
Becoming a physician in the US was out of the question, mostly for financial reasons, but also because I longed to live in Europe.
1998-2003: My life in the US
In May 1998, few weeks before I graduated from high school, I received an academic scholarship to Brigham Young University, USA. There I focused my studies on Economics, Math, and Statistics, but I also had upper-level studies in German and Philosophy.
After my second year I began as a teaching assistant for Dr Skarda in Math 112 and Math 113 (Calculus I and II). I applied to become a teaching assistant for Economics 110 – Introduction to Economics (first year Economics), but to my surprise I was offered an upper-level teaching assistantship for Economics 378 – Mathematical and Statistical Economics – by Dr Cardon. He is a remarkable teacher and person. He was the first one to truly appreciate my knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to make students interested in the fields of Economics and Math. The Economics Department faculty is amazing, and my time there has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. After being a teaching assistant for Dr Cardon, I went on to become a teaching assistant for Dr Mackay in Economics 382 – Intermediate Price Theory II (microeconomic theory). Dr Mackay and Dr Cardon are much alike in their ability to make students want to learn the material, and their knowledge of the material and love for their profession knows no boundries. Nothing is messed up and every professor loves to teach, and they would like nothing else than see their students blossom and gain as strong an interest for their field as they have.
My last year at BYU was one of the most hectic years of my life. I was President of the Economics Club, Chairman of ANSA USA, teaching assistant for Dr Mackay, taking classes for both a Ph.D. in Economics and preparatory classes for my newfound desire: Becoming a physician.
Becoming a physician in the US was out of the question, mostly for financial reasons, but also because I longed to live in Europe.
I speak German, but have yet to travel to Germany – seriously.
Actually, this changed as of September 2007, when I went to Munich for the annual Oktoberfest. It was great – and I got to practice my German:-)
2003-2009: My time at Semmelweis University and life in Budapest
I actually decided to become a physician during my last year at BYU.
There were two things I wanted: A European medical school, and a program in English (I initially wanted to return to the US, but I have later changed my mind).
I decided to come to Semmelweis Medical University.
I spend much of my free-time in helping other students – not only through these websites, but I also enjoy teaching pre-clinical courses to first and second year students. My favorite classes during the first two years were Physics, Chemistry, Neuroanatomy, and especially Biochemistry. My strongest desire is to make a difference.
I have taught students for thousands of hours the last seven years. I strongly encourage other students to do the same.
I also play the guitar, love to play around with my Nikon, and spend time with friends and family. I am starting my fifth year at Semmelweis Medical University and my field of interest is Pediatrics/Neonatology. I intent to return to Norway for my post-graduate studies (specialization).
As I mentioned, I came to Budapest in the August of 2003.
The first two years here were tough. I had a hard time adapting and the transition from my life in the US was very big.
I left a very promising career behind to pursue a dream of becoming a physician, but I really felt unwanted in Budapest. People were very unfriendly and the teaching style was the complete opposite of what I was used to. There was no guidance and I felt more like a liability and a burden than an asset. At Brigham Young University I was somebody and I was greatly appreciated by the professors, but here I felt like I was intruding because I had money and was on the English Program, not the Hungarian Program.
This changed, though. After the second year it was like a vail was lifted and suddenly the professors started pointing out the things we knew and encouraging us, instead of insulting us for the things we didn’t know. Almost all of my practice teachers in the clinical years were great – almost. There will always be one or two that are not great, but for the most part I really enjoyed the practical years. For example, I had a very inspiring pediatrics teacher and Professor Kamondi in Neurology is amazing.
I graduated from Semmelweis University on July 4th 2009.
After graduating from Semmelweis University (post-July 2009)
The first year after graduating from Semmelweis University I spent in Tønsberg.
Tønsberg is a city located just over 1 hour south of Oslo. It is the oldest city in Norway and the hospital is really great. Love working here.
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