Two coffees with Magnus Dybdahl
Two coffees with Magnus Dybdahl
Journalist Ibolya Váradi
Photographer: Ylva Friberg
Web distributor: Julie Anine Strømme
I found him in Bikuben 15 minutes earlier than our appointment — a decent, well-structured, well-prepared individual with notes. After a few minutes of talking and drinking our coffee, I realized, my first impressions were correct. When you speak with Magnus, you feel he will be the most collected person in the room all the time.
From Spain to Ås
If you can live in a sunny, cloudless country like Spain, why would you spend your twenties in Ås? - I was wondering when he mentioned that before the university, he used to live in Spain for eight years with his family. The key to his decision about moving to Ås was even more interesting: running. Magnus attended a running competition in Ås when he fell in love with the town and nature here. He thought, that if he chose NMBU, he could enjoy the wonderful environment here while running. Besides, his plan was to live and work in Norway later, so a Norwegian diploma would be more beneficial for that than a Spanish one.
Running to meetings
“In the first year I couldn’t run that much, because I had to run around all the time for my university responsibilities and student association meetings”. At the beginning of his university career, he said yes to almost every opportunity and request, then he learned that if he wanted to do something well, then it was important to choose his main motivations and roles which he would like to take. So, he decided to take a bigger part in The Student Parliament NMBU and the Grønne Studenter association. He became a board member in both and is the national leader of Grønne Studenter now. He has also worked a year for The National Union of Students in Norway. He has an opinion about everything and tells it too, but he always does it respectfully and rationally. Advice: if you want to learn some reasoning, you should have conversations with Magnus! I can assure you that it will be a meaningful and rich exchange.
Yes man!
Saying yes: that’s how his path started as an active and motivated student. When he saw opportunities to be a part of a student initiative, he said yes, as he remembered, maybe too many times in the beginning. He thinks that it was a good lesson too. He learned that when you have many responsibilities, it’s a good chance to learn how to be structured and well-organized. But starting something and continuing it are two different things.
He became an active member of the student life as soon as he started his university years, and he never stopped since then. How did he stay so motivated for so long? “It’s a wonderful feeling when you make university life better, and you can help other students.”
Inspiring the next generations
Magnus is in the first generation of his family with a university degree. His parents were supportive and motivating when it came to his education. He chose to be a science teacher, as he argues that education is extremely important if we want future generations to have a better life. He knows he would earn more with other professions, but he still finds that it’s worth it: “I think teachers have a key role to give young people competence that the world needs. I want to inspire students to live their life in a more sustainable way. That is my key motivation to become a teacher.”
If you could change one thing
“Everybody should be more engaged in positions, because there is so much to do”- said Magnus when I asked him if he could change one thing immediately in student life, what would it be. He says that participating in different student associations is a good education. “You will become more structured, focused, and engaged, and it’s also good for your CV.” For him, it was important to learn not only from the university subjects but from the other extracurricular activities as well. He said that being an active participant in the student life shaped his personality well. His advice for future generations is also related to this: “Be engaged in student associations, because you will get so much back from it!”
Remain in Ås
After our university years, many of us will leave Ås, but not Magnus. He is now finishing his studies and planning o continue living here and finding a teaching job in the neighborhood. “I fell in love with this place. I think that so many people gather here who want to change the world. I become so engaged when I’m in this community. I want to continue to have this motivated feeling and work to make a difference.
“Good luck with your teaching career and see you around in Ås!”
Greetings
Super- Mægg!
We met because we were in the same class, but only got to know each other when we both wanted internships in warmer climates. It didn’t turn out that way - but there is no one I would rather work for sustainability in education with than you. In fact, we worked so well together that we were nicknamed the “ducklings” by the other teachers - two eager practical students who were looking for a great role model. Then there was politics. You always get involved in details. Thanks for geeking out over the funding system and academic freedom and pretty much everything else. I greatly appreciate all discussions; both about biology, the teaching profession, the HE sector, Samfunnet and society, and student life. In summary; I am very happy that you will soon be my neighbor, and I look forward to new adventures with you! You are one of the kindest people I know. Aaand, “just so you know!”;I don’t think you’re some spineless amoeba.
Hugs from Tuva
Magnus Dybdahl - man or machine?
One will have to look far for the match of an organizational iron and positions plough like you. We in the collective just gape and drool, and don’t understand how you manage to juggle between a two-digit number of volunteer and political positions, live and breathe the green life, work as a substitute at Ski VGS, attend three national meetings in April/May, be up-to-date on the master’s thesis and at the same time walk like a ray of sunshine through our lives. You must have beat the devil at cards or something. We really admire how you manage to fill all these roles while at the same time be as down-to-earth, trusting, sociable and positive as you are. You are the best of both worlds.
If your future employer reads this: “RAISE MAGNUS’S SALARY!”
Greetings from us in the Watchtower
Magnus, sexy Mangus and Mags!
We’ve never seen someone perfecting catching the train like you - you’re always on time! The same can probably be said about your life. No one balances as many balls in the air as one “ildsjel” like you. We are eternally grateful that you, with your raw negotiating skills, stayed as long as you could in the Moomin house, because you always had the most exuberant energy, if it is Eurovision, super-serious tea-testing or a competition to blow up the calorie counter at Just Dance! You are also an outstanding and adventurous fellow hiker, no matter if it is small trips around the campus, a several-day trip in Jotunheimen, or a tent trip on the coldest night of the year! As long as the birthday caterpillar balloon hangs faithfully on the fan, future Moomins will always remember a fantastic Moomin resident!
Thank you so much for all the good laughs!
Greetings, your fellow Moomin residents<3
