A role model

-My first thought was that this is magnificent, says Elisabeth, although it was quite natural to do what I have done. Elisabeth Fossmo Lien received the Adult Education Prize 2009 because she has been an ambassador for adult learning. The jury's opinion states: - In 2001, at the age of 32, with a cohabitant and 3 minor children, she started a four-year and part-time decentralized nursing education at Gjøvik University College – organized in North of Gudbrandsdal. She is now a fully qualified nurse and works at Sykehuset Innlandet’s (The local hospital) day unit on Bredebygden. She has been and still is a role model; several of her acquaintances have for the recent years followed her example and completed higher education.

The purpose of the Adult Education price is to motivate more adults to participate in training activities and to get more education.

-When you have a dream you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it. Before I started the decentralized education on nursing, I spoke with others who had done higher education as an adult, and they made it! You go through a personal change while doing higher education; you learn a lot and you grow personally. I recommend anyone who wants, to do higher education, says Elisabeth.

Elisabeth Fossmo Lien has nothing but good things to say about the academic environment at Gjøvik University College. – GUC is special. They were really good at facilitation, and teachers were both personal and professional good. Their way of doing things worked out amazingly well!

Fossmo Lien has now started further education on the treatment of addiction and mental illness.

Read more about Bachelor of Nursing

Photo: Halvor Løkken, Oppland County Municipality