Ans.Red.

Two sodas & a lot of laughter with Hiruni Hewage

Ans.Red.
Two sodas & a lot of laughter with Hiruni Hewage

Two sodas & a lot of laughter with Hiruni Hewage

Both journalist and photographer are met with rain and hail on their way to see Hiruni Hewage, who opens the door to her home at Palisaden with a sunshine smile. After walking to the shared living room in her collective, appelsin & sitron flavored soda cans are brought out and put on the table, where they will stay until the end of the interview, untouched. We are way too busy talking and laughing to even think about opening the drink and taking a sip. After our conversation, Hiruni shows us her cozy room decorated with self-made art, magnets from her travels, and pictures. Promises to try her favorite drink and goodbyes are exchanged, once photos are taken outside in the sunshine as well.

Journalist: Danique Wijnia
Photographer: Nicolai Terland


Hiruni Hewage is originally from Sri Lanka, and came here to do a bachelor’s degree in International Environment and Development Studies in 2021. She is currently doing a master’s in Applied Economics, and is involved in a variety of associations. She is on her second year as president of ISU, working with SiÅs creating content, and is also part of the Sri Lankan association. On top of that she also works part-time at McDonalds, where she is a shift manager, and has also worked as a teaching assistant. When asked how she manages to keep track of all her meetings, assignments, and commitments, she answers while laughing: “I am strictly attached to my Google Calendar.” From our conversation, it became apparent that Hiruni likes to be involved in many things and loves interacting with people.   

The Hiruni of then 

Back at home in Sri Lanka, Hiruni was also involved in many different things and could be considered an all-rounder. She was helping students in her neighborhood study for a variety of  subjects in her spare time, and was ranked 5th in the whole of Sri Lanka on her advanced level exam. Applying for university in Norway was a spur of the moment decision, when she was calling her aunt who lived in Norway on the 1st of December – the deadline of submissions. She applied without having any of the necessary documents and without a valid passport. Luckily, due to COVID the deadlines were extended, and she gathered all the required documents in just two weeks. Because she did not know if she could start university in Norway, she started attending university in Sri Lanka. Well, not really attending. Due to the pandemic, she could not be on campus and everything was online. Hiruni explained how frustrating that was after putting so much effort into studying to get into a good university: “You have to basically die studying.”  

When she got her admission letter to NMBU, she accepted the offer without a second thought, as she had always wanted to move abroad. Of course, there are a lot of necessary bureaucratic hurdles that she needed to overcome. Since her visa came a bit late and there was mandatory quarantine due to COVID, she completely missed the introduction weeks. “Because of that actually I would say in the first semester, for me I was a bit lost. I did not know anything. I was very shy.” She also explains that she felt uncertain about how to approach people in English, since she had not used English very much in social settings before coming to Norway. In addition, in her first August block at NMBU, she got a C, which she was not used to getting at all. Hiruni recounts that at the time she was thinking “I came to Norway to study and I am so bad at it, what am I doing?” She realized that the grading systems of Norway and Sri Lanka were not the same.  

After almost a year, she finally felt comfortable, settled, and not as lost, which meant that the Hiruni from before was coming back; she felt more confident and wanted to get involved. “I am so happy, like now, I am a person who missed my first introduction week, and the next year, because of that, I wanted to be a fadder, like a buddy for my faculty. So, I just went and became a buddy and then now, I am so happy that I am a person who arranges that for the newcoming students, even though I have not experienced that myself.”  

The Hiruni of now 

In the final year of her bachelor, Hiruni started getting even more involved by becoming president of ISU (International Students Union). This was apparently not pre-planned. When asked how she became president, Hiruni says: “I don’t know, I just one day randomly went to the General Assembly because they were giving free pizza.” The previous president was a close friend of Hiruni and told her to go for it, and the rest is history. That being said, her journey in ISU was not without its struggles. In her first year as president, ISU was struggling to stay afloat, but Hiruni was determined to not let ISU go extinct on her watch. After many rejections, she succeeded in registering ISU in June 2024 so they could get funding to the organizations bank account and, consequently, organize events. For the next round of elections: “That time, I wanted to be president, because I didn’t want to completely hand it over to a new set of people, who didn’t know anything about what had happened. Because I knew all the paperwork, and everything I have basically done by myself. So, I wanted to be there to get the organization back up.” Luckily, she was re-elected and for her second year as president ISU has organized many great events, such as the international food festival and a trip during Easter to Oscarsborg. “Joining ISU was one of the best decisions, I would say, to be where I am right now.”  

In addition, Hiruni has really come to appreciate Norway for its convenience, in terms of transportation, technology, and living conditions. She also really values the way in which people’s privacy is respected here, which is very different from what she was used to in Sri Lanka. Just asking if someone can sit next to you on the bus, really shows how much a person’s privacy is respected. “In terms of like people, I kind of like how people here mind their own business”, Hiruni states with a smile on her face. This can also be a difficulty because Norwegians might not mingle as easily with outsiders but, gradually, they will mingle.  

Fondest memories and the future 

At the end of our conversation, we end up discussing some of the fondest memories that Hiruni has had of her time here in Ås. Of course, there are too many to choose from since there were so many new and exciting things since coming to Norway. Her first 17th of May celebration and the culture shock resulting from it, her first pumpkin carving, watching people swim in the duck pond, joining ISU and SiÅs, graduating from her bachelor’s, hosting a big Christmas party at her place in 2023, her first event as president of ISU – a potluck, the recent international food festival, celebrating her birthday for the first time in Norway, and so many more.  

As for the future, Hiruni will have to pass the baton for the ISU presidency to someone new after the summer, but she thinks it’s good that someone else will take over, and plans to stay involved with the organization. After the summer, she will be in her final year of her master’s degree and in the spring semester will have to write her thesis – the topic of which is not yet known to Hiruni. After completing her master’s, she might apply for a PhD, or get a job, settle down and stay in Norway.  

Tips for (international) students: 

  • Go to events and mingle – don’t only focus on your studies and work! 

  • Get involved in associations, organizations, etc. It will help you feel more confident!

  • Going to events and getting involved will often provide you with more opportunities. 

  • Step out of your comfort zone!

Greetings

Aanee Hiruni 

From that first “Are you staying here?” to the very first lunch together—your first attempt at a homemade Sri Lankan dish leading to countless dinners, movie nights, crazy life talks, and clumsy adventures — we just clicked in the best way. 

You have always brought life to every gathering. ESN, ISU, Christmas parties, birthday parties, Amsterdam trip’s train adventure to Kerala trip’s Airport Chaos, it’s been pure madness and magic with you! You’ve always been someone we could count on—ready to listen, ready to plan, and always full of ideas. 

You, your love for Bollywood, your big hugs, your ‘Anee Divya’, ‘Anee Varsha’ moments, and especially your compassion, amaze us. Like the meaning of your name, “Sunshine,” your contagious positive energy leaves everyone around you feeling refreshed and energized. You’ve truly been the heart of our group. 

We’re so lucky to have found a sister in you. (Also, tell the ones who didn’t vibe with our resonance to keep walking!) 

Love you forever <3 my clumsy soulmate (Divya Bethaapudi) & my partner in crime (Varsha) 

Dear Hiruni

We didn’t realise how close we were growing when we slowly started sharing meals, stories, and long evenings filled with laughter and study sessions. Over time, you just became a part of our days, dropping by with that big smile, helping out, and always bringing a warm, happy energy into the room. 

You have such a genuine and joyful soul. We always admire what you do, whether organising something or stepping up when things get messy, you somehow manage to hold everything together. 

And the Norwegian classes—snacking, laughing, and running for the bus like we were in some feel-good movie. We’ve laughed together, shared stories from home, and supported each other through ups and downs. 

You’re no longer just a friend—you’re our little sister. We’re so proud of you, grateful to have you in our lives, and really looking forward to our trip together! 

 With love, Niranjana and Rusith

Dear Hiruni

Being on this journey with you at ISU has been such a privilege. You bring so much heart, energy, and care into everything you do. Whether it’s planning big events or just checking in on someone, you always give your all, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.  

You’ve helped turn our group into more than just a board, you have built a real community. Your support, your jokes, your encouragement… they make a difference every single day. You somehow managed to handle so much and still make space for everyone else to shine, and that’s something special.  

Watching you grow, both in your studies and in life, while leading ISU with such passion, is honestly so inspiring. Thank you for everything you do and for being the amazing person you are.  

With love,  ISU board.