The 27-year-old realised she was not happy with the traditional working model. She decided to quit her job as a civil engineer, sell her flat and car and move to Bali to study digital marketing online.
Serine Bucher is a civil engineer and worked in this field in Bergen for two years before deciding to move to Bali to start a new chapter.
– Working for two years made me realise that I did not fully fit into the "normal" working model. It opened my eyes to other professions and other ways of working and living, she says.
From Bali, Serine is pursuing an online degree in digital marketing with Noroff. Her dream is to start her own business, work freelance and be geographically independent.
– I have always had a strong passion for travelling, and I went backpacking for the first time when I was working as a civil engineer. When I returned to Bergen after a month in Central America, the experience, the people I met and the inspiration they gave me were key factors in my decision to let go of everyday life in Bergen, she explains.
Serine was inspired by all the digital nomads she met who worked online and lived geographically independent lives. She did a lot of research to find an education that would give her the freedom in life she wanted.
– I really enjoy sharing content from my own life on social media, and being able to use my own interests to promote other brands and companies is something I find incredibly exciting.
Photo: Private
Got a Relevant Job
Life in Bali has been absolutely amazing so far.
– Here I never know if it's Monday, Thursday or Saturday, and it feels so good not to have to live for the weekend anymore. I have the freedom to study from my room, the pool or a café, and I really feel like my own boss. I enjoy the flexibility in my daily life, says Serine.
– What is a typical study day like in Bali?
– I usually start working on my studies as soon as I wake up, often in bed with coffee and breakfast. As lunchtime approaches, I tend to go to a café or a day club. At the day club, I can lie on a sunbed with my laptop, take a few laps in the pool if I need a break, or catch some sun, she answers.
The online student feels that there is a clear link between the curriculum and the tasks one encounters in working life.
– I like that the curriculum is up to date and includes new topics such as AI. Traditional marketing is on its way out, and Noroff has really embraced the new methods.
Serine has already found a relevant freelance job as a marketing assistant and works on it every day alongside her studies.
– It's still very new and I've only just started, but it's so much fun to already be gaining work experience. I feel like I have the opportunity to gain important and relevant knowledge while studying digital marketing.
Photo: Private
Take the Chances You Get
Serine plans to stay in Bali until she graduates in March 2025. The 27-year-old is unsure where she will settle down in the future, but one thing is certain: her job will not dictate where she lives; that is her decision.
– At the moment, I have no idea where I'll end up, but that's what makes it so exciting!
The marketing student has not quite decided what she wants to do after graduation, but for now she finds social media very fascinating.
– I am taking it one step at a time. My goal and dream is to have a working day that I really enjoy, where I don't dread the end of the weekend. I want a job that offers a lot of personal freedom, and where the work is based on completing tasks, not just logging hours, she says.
– What advice would you give to others considering an online degree?
– My advice is to fully embrace the freedom that online study offers and not to take it for granted. It's easy to underestimate how much time and energy a full-time job requires, so be fearless, take the chances that come your way and seize opportunities when they arise. There is a big difference between seizing opportunities and creating them, she concludes.
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