The Wonderful World of the Agrarian Metropole
The Wonderful World of the Agrarian Metropole
Are you still maddeningly confused by the world to which you have arrived? Despair not! Here’s a little guide which can instruct you through the Pentagonic mist!
Journalist: Benjamin Alexander Faulkner
Photographer: Tuva Hebnes
Associations, committees, and activities at NMBU?
After four years of attending this university, I find myself frequently bewildered by even the smallest things I haven’t registered before. We live in a landscape where one is ought to slow down and look around. Maybe take the path to the right, instead of going straight forward. Students from all over the place are drawn to the frenzied carousing behind the grey academic facade. But it is not easy to understand. The question is short: what do you want to do in your spare time? Let us begin in the inner levels of Pentagon, and move outwards.
NM in student revue 2020. Photo: Tord Kristian F. Andersen
The merry battlefield
A spectacular game has been running for over a hundred years, almost invisible for the unknowing eye: a merry battlefield between associations and clubs. The roots to this complicated, forever-running competition of antics can be traced back to a time when students at Ås had nothing to do in their spare time. Not to mention the fact that students have been isolated from the pleasures of Oslo through a lengthy train trip. When you’re standing in the middle of the field bored out of your mind, there is only one thing to do: find something to do. One example is UKA, which might be traced back to a theatrical performance in 1899, including men in female roles and an orchestra with a trumpet, violins and a tuned pitchfork.
Associations of all sizes and colours
The common theme in all associations is a passionate consumption of beer and hard liquor in their own occult ways, and a strong commitment to cheer up and inspire their fellow students. Some associations are guided by old traditions and practices. Other associations prioritize networking and community. Then there are the regional associations providing company for people from Bergen or Trøndelag. Others dedicate themselves to musical revelry, everything from rock music, marching bands, jazz bands, folk music or choir music.
Christmas concert in Ås Church. Photo: Synne Louise Stromme
Interest associations
Looking away from the good madness on the Pentagon and Bodega, there are more serious associations at hand. Many of them are academically inclined, where members assist each other in their pursuit of a deeper understanding. Others are politically oriented, revolving around nature conservation, feminism, or social liberalism. Then there are the sports associations, taking you from capoeira, badminton, dance, climbing to nature hikes.
Buddy Week 2022. Photo: Synne Louise Stromme
The Capital of Ås
But what’s to do in this earthly paradise? More than you think! If you enjoy exercise, have a go at the Eika Sports Centre, which offers everything an established sports centre is supposed to offer. They do courses in vinyasa yoga, group training in group bike exercise, you can reach soaring heights in the climbing room or show your muscles the meaning of pain at the weights. Afterwards, eat at Babylon Pizza, Charlie’s Diner, or if you shower in money, Aas Bistro! Watch a movie at the cinema – or one of the surprisingly many artists who regularly appear on stage there. What you don’t get in Samfunnet, you get here: jazz, rock, musicals – musicals performed by the Ås’ own musical club. Feeling thirsty? Get a splash of whiskey to wash the trail dust off your gullet at Click Bar, our most cherished enfant terrible. Amateur students of social anthropology would have a field day here. Hot tip: they have student prices, last we checked.
Check out the countryside
Any proud Vestlanding would point out the apparent lack of mountains and fjords. Alas, we lack nothing: far-reaching crop fields, ancient oak trees, and secretive river ravines. Walk the shores of Årungen, or even better, walk up Syverrudbekken and arrive at Bølstad. In moonlight, sense the spirits of the dead still riding along the old Fredrikshaldske King’s Road. A gothic charm, right here in Ås! Speaking of exotic, our neighbouring municipality, Frogn, calls itself the “Toscana of the North”. Bring a good friend, a bottle of Ch. Haut-Claverie 2019 and a basket of sweet strawberries. Maybe you’ll be in love on the way back – not just in love with Frogn’s Mediterranean qualities, but in your partner too. Here comes the winter time! When the landscape is covered in snow, the municipal snow scooter gang provides a heavenly ice-skating track on Årungen. People from near or far, come here to experience it!
Citizen of the Agrarian Metropole
The student democracy. If there is anything that characterizes our little world, then it is all the trouble we go through to have a good time. More or less all the organized recreational activities are run by volunteers. On the academic half, we have the Student Democracy. Representatives from the faculties show up at the Student Parliament, the extreme branch of meeting sportsmanship. At the meetings, they discuss association funding, priorities for the Student Board (read: the slaves between you and rector Curt Rice) and everything in between.
General Assembly 2021. Photo: Borghild S. Oterholdt
Our beloved bigwigs
Every six months, a spectacular event occurs in AudMax. It is the General Assembly of Samfunnet i Ås. The organization is run by you and me so that we get the best concerts, parties, bodega evenings, best booze at Johannes and the best beer prices. All members of Samfunnet are invited to become the new Chief of Events, the Editor of Tuntreet or Chief for UKA. Don’t eat before you show up: the pea soup during the break is beyond all expectations.
Where to begin?
The little bubble we live in is small, but you’ll need a lifetime to experience it all. If you feel paralyzed by the infinite possibilities, console yourself with the fact that you’ll most likely find something you like. The most important thing of all is to not waste time on anything you don’t enjoy. Have a great time at Ås!
