Welcome week
As a new student in Bergen, you’ll be offered the option to participate in Welcome week at the start of the semester. The goal of the week is to help you get to know your fellow students, your campus and the city, as well as to help you sort out practical details.
Studies show that students that actively participate in Welcome week generally perform and thrive better than those that don’t. So don’t miss it!
What is Welcome week?
Welcome week is also known as Freshers week, Mentor Week, Into Campus, Fadder Week and Fadderullan. The goal of the week is to help you get to know your fellow students, your campus and the city, as well as to help you sort out practical details.
What happens during Mentor Week?
During mentor week, experienced students will guide you as a new student around the campus, and facilitate different ice-breaking activities to help you make new friends and acquaintances.
Mentor week in Bergen
Read more about the welcome week at the different campuses in Bergen
- University of Bergen (UiB)
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), campus Bergen
- Norwegian School of Economics (NHH)
- BI Norwegian Business School, Campus Bergen
- Kristiania, Campus Bergen
- NLA University College, campus Bergen
- VID Specialized College
- Fagskulen Vestland (Nordnes and Nygård)
In the first week there is also immatriculation ceremonies, introductory lectures and different types of guiding and activities around the city.
How is Mentor week organised?
Students are usually organised into Mentor week groups with other students starting the same degree programme.
- If the study programme has a very large enrolment, there will be lots of smaller groups of new students.
- If the degree programme has a small enrolment, the group may be mixed with new students from a degree programme at the same department.
In your Mentor week group, there will be “mentors” or “sponsors”. These are students who’ve already studied the same degree programme for a year, and who’ll help to show you the ropes.
For example, you are going to start an engineering degree, you will get sponsors who have been on the engineering program for at least a year
Is Mentor Week mandatory?
Participation in the welcome week is completely voluntary. There is a lot going on at the start of your studies, so it is common not to participate in absolutely all the activities.
However, reports show that students who participate in mentor week, generally do better and are more satisfied in their studies than those who do not.
Also, remember that there may be mandatory activities organised by your institute during your first week of study.
When is mentor Week?
Mentor Week usually starts on the same day you start a new course of study. For the vast majority, it will be Monday in week 33 in August.
How long does the Mentor Week last?
For most students, mentor week lasts from Monday to Friday at the start of the academic year in August. Some study programmes also incoporate activities on Saturday and Sunday of the first week, while some continue with mentor activities into the following week.
Five tips for mentor week
1. Take the initiative
The vast majority of new students don’t know anyone else in their new class. This means that they also are looking to make new friends. Be brave and take the initiative to get the conversation going and to learn to know the others in the group.
2. Avoid too much alcohol and boozing
Many people find that drinking alcohol makes the party more fun and that it’s easier to get to know others. But taking it too far, by boozingis ill-advised. The last thing you want is blackouts and anxiety about what you did the night before when you meet up with everyone again the next day!
Research also shows that a alcohol level between 0.5 and 1.0 makes you the most happy.
Remember it’s entirely up to you whether you drink alcohol or not – and that it’s not necessary to drink to have during fun mentor week.
3. Find your thing, be yourself!
Bergen is full of student organisations and societies. Getting involved in some of these is an excellent way to thrive as a student.Talk to your mentors about what they do, and don’t miss the Freshers fair where you can meet the student organisations and get an overview of what you can join.
4. Take breaks
The study start week is intense. There are events from early morning to late evening – and some even have to go to lectures.
Don't be afraid to take a day off. It's common to get tired, and not participate in the whole program.
5. Have an open mind
At the start of the academic year, everything can feel new and strange. Do not despair when you meet people and situations that are different. Embrace it. Give it a go and see if the people and situations might be nice after all.
Don't get stressed if you can't find your new best friends in your mentor group. Chances are good you’ll find them a little later for example in your studies or in a student organisation.
Do you want to study in Bergen?
Combine high academic quality with the best nature and culture can offer.
