Introuke

Elina Turbiná Journalist Margreta Brunborg Fotograf

As the numbing winter cold settled in Ås, the introduction week for newcomers has begun. This year, however, it has gone through a couple of changes: the organizers have shifted everything to an (almost) entirely digital format, embracing the way fun and social life exists nowadays, as well as extending the event to a whole month instead of a week. On a Zoom call with the Faddergeneral of NMBU, Maren Helene Sævold, she explained this by the differences of where the newcomers are located during the start of the semester, as well as the timing of their arrival.

Since one of the primary reasons behind the introduction month is to make new students feel welcomed, the organizers decided to accommodate as many people as possible, no matter if they arrive in February or at the end of March.

Zooming your way into NMBU

How does the introduction month look, then? Well, it begins with two different groups for students on Facebook: one provides practical information for the newcomers, while the other focuses on the social life of the university. This does not mean that the events are made strictly for the international students - everyone can be a part of the Language Cafés, Game and Quiz nights organized by ESN (Erasmus Student Network) and ISU (International Student Union). These online events have been our best shot at good socialization practices, and this does not go unnoticed. As AU’s Tilde Birgitte Dalberg said: “It’s more important than ever that we try to make people feel welcome here, so that they make friends and feel like this is their home, even if it’s just for a semester”. The planned online events are a great help for jumpstarting a social life, so the organizers encourage everyone to participate as much as possible.

The Buddy System

Something unique to this year’s spring introduction is the buddy system (yes, technically this is a fadderuke!). This great initiative has been backed up by many international students willing to help newcomers. “One of the good things about having international students as buddies is that we might notice things that to us are strange because we’re not used to them yet, whereas Norwegians are helpful in many things, but they might not know what an international student could have trouble with when coming here”, noted the acting president of ISU Rachel Elder.

Friendship from the first e-mail

One of the international participants in this buddy program is Beatriz, a first-

year International Environmental Studies master from Brazil, who made buddies with Héloïse and Margaux from France. Shortly after arriving to Norway, the girls begun their communication via e-mail but quickly switched to meeting up, whether it is for grocery shopping trips, digital game nights or pizza nights. When asked about the initial impressions of the NMBU student life on campus, the girls were quite positive: “It is better [Covid situation-wise] here than in France, so it feels more relaxed”, says Héloïse. Margaux agrees: “It’s fine to have the classes digitally as long as you’re able to meet people afterwards”. They, of course, feel slight disappointment since society (and campus) is still shut down. But, thanks to Beatriz, they have been able to expand their friend group and feel more comfortable in Ås. Beatriz finds this experience rewarding as well. “I wish we had buddies for the students that arrived in Ås later in the semester too because I had to figure out everything on my own, from the postboxes to the pant system”.

You belong with Ås

Overall, the feeling of gratitude surrounds every part of this introduction month. The organizers - Fadder committee, AU, Samfunnet, ISU, ESN and SiT - are all pleased with the cooperation and creativity within the team, as well as the response from the incoming students. It seems like the main idea behind the introduction month, which is making the new students feel like they belong with this place, is steadily being accomplished. The newcomers can meet new people much faster so that they can take their friendships outside of the Zoom room as the semester progresses. Hopefully, we will have many chances of seeing each other in real life as well, maybe even at some events at Samfunnet!

Make the First Step*

It can be hard to initiate contact with the students in your dorm or class, but that is not to say you should not try! Both Maren Helene and Samfunnet’s Inclusion officer Lise Benette Hovd stressed that Norwegians are by nature very shy to initiate a friendship, but they open up happily once you talk to them. So, do not be afraid to ask questions, talk to people, complain to them about the restrictions! Things will get better! Lykke til, new students! We are happy to have you here!

__ *Or do not, since I try disputing this idea in another article of this exact issue. (page 4, Red.anm)