Freshers week - 2011
Last week, the exchange students at NHH started the new academic year. In addition to official ceremonies, students have spent a whole week together in which they were welcomed to NHH and introduced to student life at the school and in Bergen: Freshers Week.
24.08.2011 - Carmen Codreanu
Along with academic staff, the participating students attended several events, including social activities, sporting challenges, games and parties. They were also initiated into Norwegian culture through cultural events such as 'A taste of Norway' and 'Bergen in a Nutshell'.
Student experience
Ioanis Koutsouris is a Greek exchange student at NHH who made a lot of friends during Freshers week.
Foto: Carmen Codreanu
Several participants share their impressions of Freshers Week.
'The experience has proven to be even better than I expected. I didn't realise that there would be so many activities and that we would spend so much time together. I made a lot of friends, I don't even remember all their names,' says Ioannis Koutsouris, exchange student at NHH from Greece.
'I expected less, to tell the truth. We took part in a lot of different activities and there were different games to choose from. People were open-minded, happy and willing to meet others,' says Laura Svartsevich, CEMS student at NHH from Poland.
Two other participants, Solweig Champeroux from France and Lisa-Marie Strauss from Austria, believe that it was convenient that everything was organised for them and that they didn't have to worry about anything.
'The mentors were really good, and they knew everything we needed, as some of them have also been exchange students in previous years. They told us everything we needed to know.'
Baptism Ceremony and week's activities
The programme for Freshers Week included activities of all kinds. It started with the Baptism Ceremony, when the students become real NHH students, and continued with a familiarisation tour of the campus. This was followed by a pub-crawl during which the students experienced Bergen's nightlife.
Other activities included course orientation, guidance regarding registration at the police station, a sports tournament, mountain walking, games and concerts.
'A Taste of Norway' dinner and 'Bergen in a Nutshell' tour introduced the new students to Norwegian culture and local preferences.
The official welcome week was concluded on Friday 19 August with the matriculation ceremony at which the students shook hands with the rector and vice-rector.
Students well prepared
Norunn Økland chief responsibilities for the daytime activities during Freshers week and here she is at the matriculation Ceremony.
Foto: Espen Bolghaug
Norunn J Økland, International Relations Coordinator for incoming students, says that the students were well prepared this year and took part in all the activities. 'The exchange students have done a lot of homework, so they had a good background for asking questions. They attended all the lectures and wanted to take part in everything.'
Looking forward to a new academic year
Lisa Marie Strauss(to the left) from Austria and Solweig Champeroux from France, both exchange students at NHH, liked "the mentoring idea" and are optimistic about the new year
Foto: Carmen Codreanu
Everyone at NHH seemed happy and excited about the new university year and the students are looking forward to the new semester with confidence. Solweig Champeroux put it like this: 'I'm sure it is going to be a good semester and I'm looking forward to starting the courses.'
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