International Students Union (ISU) Ås Branch Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) Postboks 1207, NMBU 1432 Ås Tel: +47 486 43 529 ISU-NMBU Annual Report Autumn 2015 Board President Matthew Bolt Vice President Teresa Southwell Treasurer MariekePoppe Secretary - Julia vanheck Events Coordinator - Asia Welfare officer Daniel Hernandez Welcome BBQ As the first ISU event of the new school year, coming to the BBQ is a great way to meet other new international students and get to know student life on campus, especially the social atmosphere at Pentagon. General Assembly An event for all international students of NMBU. The event was held during the introduction week for new incoming international students. All board positions were open for people to take. Each candidate
was allowed a short speech before students voted. 5 Norwegians attended and acted as censors for the event. Amendments to the constitution were also approved during the event. Bodega songs ISU in conjunction with Laerken held an event in bodega at samfunnet. The purpose of the event was for new students to learn the university songs so that they could also be included in events where these songs are sung, especially formal events such as ringfest. Approximately 30 people attended this event. Money used for this event was from ISU university money. Pasta night A small event held at an apartment in pentagon where two Italian students taught other internationals how to make authentic Italian food such as pizza and pasta. Inclusion funds funded this event. Salsa dance party Event held on campus where students could learn to dance salsa and also learn a little about the Latin culture. Inclusion funds were used to buy snacks for the event Winter information evening ISU-NMBU, along with SIT, held a seminar to show the correct way to prepare for winter. This event was aimed at internationals that had not yet experienced a real winter. Being ready for winter is more than just putting on as many layers of clothes as possible. We will be giving some tips and tricks on how to survive and thrive in the Norwegian winter. Important information about upcoming exams and eating healthy was also given. FREE! Pizza and Soft drinks was provided!! Food festival The legendary bi-annual International Food Festival! An opportunity for people to taste and share world cuisine. Approximately 400 people were in attendance at this event. ISU university funds paid for the rental of the venue. Inclusion funds funded each participating team 500kr to buy food. Self defense class This event was an opportunity for students to learn some self-defense techniques with two judo black belts. The event was free for students who had membership at the university gym. International students trained in Judo taught this class. The class was limited to 30 students. Language exchange An event held at samfunnet where students can come together to learn about each other s cultures. Snacks are provided by ISU and funded by inclusion funds,
Thanksgiving A large thanksgiving dinner was held by ISU where around 60 students were in attendance. People who volunteered to help cook food were given free entrance whereas others paid a 100kr entrance fee. The event was partially funded by inclusion funds and also ticket sales. Money was spent on decorations and food. The event was held on campus. This event requires a lot of preparation and organisation. Christmas cozy An event to relax in between exams. Opportunity to enjoy the chrismas spirit with you friends before many Erasmus students returned home. There was hot chocolate, (alcohol free) gløgg, and cake for decorating and eating. Spring 2016 Board President Matthew Bolt Vice President Teresa Southwell Treasurer Ida Byre Secretary - Caroline Pledger Events Coordinator RianneVastenhouw Welfare officer Daniel Hernandez Coffee and Waffles A coffee and waffles was held at samfunnet to allow new spring semester students to meet each other and also to get to know ISU and what we do as aorganisation. ISU university funds paid for this event. Special assembly A special assembly was held in late January to fill empty places within the board ISU winter wonderland
ISU ran a 2-night trip to a large cabin north of Oslo to give students a chance to enjoy the experience of skiing to a cabin. The weekend was filled with winter fun and sport while you get to know other International and Norwegian students! Students paid 200kr to attend this trip. The trip was subsidized by frifond and inclusion funds. Quiz nights Isu-NMBU assisted the nmbu quiz committee with holding international themed quizzes once a month. ISU provided prizes for these events. Stentor Bodega ISU in conjunction with Laerken held a preparty styled event before stentor bodega at samfunnet. The purpose of the event was for new students to learn the university songs so that they could also be included in events where these songs are sung, especially formal events such as ringfest. The attendance for the event was relatively low for both internationals and laerks. Money used for this event was from ISU university money. Food Festival On the 17 th of April, during mini-uka the bi-annual ISU International Food festival was held. The event was held in Aud Max at samfunnet. As the event was held in conjunction with mini-uka rental of Aud Max was paid for by UKA. Participating teams, this semester received 750kr, 250kr more than they received in previous years. This was because fewer teams sign up in the spring semester and more money for teams would encourage teams to make more food. There were in total 16 teams who signed up for the festival. Prizes for winning teams of the festival were donated from local businesses of Ås. The event was an overall success, yet fewer attendance rates were seen, it is assumed that this is because of the large concert that had happened the night before. BBQ with ESN and Globalis An end of semester celebration held by ISU ESN and Globalis.Sports and BBQ s will be the theme of the day. This is an opportunity for students to hangout before exams and before many student graduate or go home.
Prepared on behalf of ISU by Teresa Southwell ISU-NMBU Vice President