After five years at Lindenwood University, Thea Reiermark Jørgensen, plans to head back to Oslo, Norway to continue her hockey career. 

Jørgensen first came to the United States in 2020 to play Division I ice hockey at Lindenwood University. At the time, she was one of the only people she knew from Norway that had decided to come to the United States to play collegiately. 

“There weren’t that many [people] in Norway that went or people around me, so I didn't have that many people to ask. That was probably the most difficult part,” she said. 

Applying for an international visa can be challenging, however for Jørgensen, she was trying to get her visa at the same time as the global pandemic which added an additional layer of difficulty. 

Jørgensen said she lucked out by living near the Embassy. She had gotten an appointment at the Norwegian Embassy, however the timeline didn’t work out for when she planned to start her season at Lindenwood. 

Jørgensen didn’t give up.

“Everyday I would go in 30 times a day," she said. "I needed earlier appointment though, so I kept going in as many times I could every day, because people would cancel. Then I would pick up their time, and I just continued to go in, and I actually ended up getting a good time.” 

Her perseverance helped Jørgensen get an earlier appointment, and she said the process after that was far easier. 

“I showed up to my appointment, and I remember it was a lot of waiting. I just waited for a long time, and then when it was my turn, I basically just went up and they just looked at all the application stuff,” Jørgensen said. 

She decided to opt for a five-year $600 visa to play in the States. This allowed Jørgensen to play her fifth year in the 2024-25 season. Although the visa process was over for her, there was still one more hurdle: moving in. 

For Jørgensen, she not only had to move all of her stuff to a new country, but she had to do so alone. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, her parents were unable to assist her move.

She was able to move in on her own, and then Jørgensen then began to do what she had come to Lindenwood for, hockey.

Her first season she played 17 games, recorded 22 shots on goal and scored three goals. 

The next season she played 31 games, and had five points. In 2023-24, she played in 24 games with four goals and eight assists. Finally in her graduate year, Jørgensen played 21 games. 

For Jørgensen, playing in the United States was slightly different.

“It's smaller ice than at home, and the game is definitely faster,” she said. “I think it's just cool to play with so many good girls that are all the same age as you. Growing up, I always played with all older girls and with boys.” 

Although Jørgensen plans to return to Oslo following her graduation this May, she said there are still a few things she wants to figure out before hanging up the skates.   

“I am looking to be able to combine work and playing, because I'm thinking about the future. I now I have a master degree, so I just want to get experience in the field, and just try to figure out what I want after hockey,” she said. 

When asked about playing in the PWHL, Jørgensen said although it would be nice, “it’s not really realistic with the six teams, it’s a really good league.”

Although she took a risk as one of the first people she knew to come play in the United States from Norway, her experience was valuable. Jørgensen enjoyed her time at Lindenwood, five years later looking back she said, “I'm so glad I went, I'm so glad I took the chance, even though it's really far from home, I feel I just grew a lot as a person.”

Returning to the United States isn’t out of the question for the 5-foot-9 defensive player. She said, “I like the opportunities that it comes with [living in the US], but right now, I want to play. I wouldn't close the doors fully of moving back one day.” 

Jørgensen plans on graduating in May with a Master of Business Administration. However, her time on the ice is far from over as she takes the next steps in her career.