This winter's buddy week(s)
TIME FOR THIS WINTER’S BUDDY WEEK(S)!
While most new students arrived back in August some are stepping into “Ås-bobla” for the first time in January and February. And just like in August, there will be a buddy week to welcome the newcomers. This one however, is slightly longer, noticeably colder, and (as far as I know) without a baptism in Andedammen. Tuntreet sat down with two of the facilitators to hear more about what’s to come.
Journalist: Sofie Berset Janols
Photographer: Åsne Sørlie-Nordnes
Photo: Åsne Sørlie-Nordnes
Photo: Åsne Sørlie-Nordnes
When I meet with buddy general Ada Marie Orthe Karlsen and ESN (Erasmus Student Network) leader Emma van Nieuwkuijk at Hjerterommet, the buddy week is just about to begin. This winter´s buddy week (or shall I say month?) started with a tour of NMBU and Ås on the 25th of January and will be ending with a potlock on the 24th of February. In between these dates, there are two to three events happening each week.
Longer and more lowkey
The winter buddy week is a bit different from the August one. It is longer and events are more spread out, as not all new students are there to attend from the beginning. That is also why the deadline for joining the buddy program is set to late in February, the girls explain. This way, even those arriving mid-February will have the chance to be part of a smaller buddy-group. For the buddy week events, however, there is no need to sign up before joining. Simply show up to the activities of your liking, whether it´s ice skating, tours around Ås, or the trip to Oslo the 19th of February.
Unlike what one may think (at least I did), the winter buddy week(s) is open for all new students. While a majority of the participants might be exchange students and internationals, Ada and Emma encourage incoming Norwegians to participate too: “it´s great if Norwegians sign up!”. The buddy week facilitators also encourage Norwegians who are not new to Ås to sign up as buddies. Ada further explains that this buddy week is more lowkey than the one in August: it´s less official, and doesn´t involve a contract. You simply hang out with your buddy group and teach them your ways of navigating Ås.
Tips to the newcomers
When I ask if Ada and Emma have any tips to the new Ås students, Emma is fast to respond: “Join our events!”. To stay updated on the events, she recommends following ESN Ås and Fadderuka NMBU on Facebook. For international students especially, she also recommends checking out ISU, SAIH, student associations and the group “Social hub for internationals at NMBU” on Facebook. “In Norway Facebook is a really big thing”, she states. It´s also an idea to check out where you can get free memberships. Samfunnet, for instance, offers free memberships for exchange students and other international students.
Ada and Emma also stress the importance of warm clothes now in the cold winter months. “Don´t be afraid of looking stupid in big clothes” Ada adds and laughs. Ironically, Ada had forgotten to put on mittens this day (ref photo), which she regretted when stepping out of the warm Clock building. And speaking of cold: when it comes to getting to know the Norwegians? Joining sports comes highly recommended. But most importantly, Ada encourages both internationals and Norwegians to step out of their comfort zone.
