Lund’s acclaimed student life was on full display yesterday at AF Borgen, as students and campus organizations spent an afternoon getting acquainted with each other.
AF Borgen was a sea of colorful flyers, decorated banners, and enthusiastic students yesterday at Hälsningsgillet, an awareness and recruitment event for Lund’s many student organizations. With the hustle and frenzy of a medieval marketplace, vendors competed not to sell their wares, but to attract interest to their organizations.
The stalls throughout the auditorium were numerous and varied. Nearly every student nation was represented, and a host of other student groups and student services were on hand to increase awareness for their organization. Most stalls were armed with enticing goodies to lure students towards their table.
Though mostly sweet things and trinkets, one stall—quite sharply attuned to the student’s needs—offered packs of instant noodles. Behind every bowl of treats was a small team of outgoing, affable members who, for the most part, had their hands full conversing with student passersby.
As much as this event was an opportunity for any group to increase membership, simple awareness was just as important a goal for many.
“[Hälsningsgillet] is very important for our PR” said Max Troedsson, the international secretary at Helsingkrona Nation. He explained how this event is vital to putting a good face out for the nation, especially for international students who, unlike their Swedish counterparts, are “starting from scratch” when they arrive in Lund and search for extra-curricular activities.
As a city dedicated to its university and its students, Lund is a hotbed of student activities and extra-curricular diversion that make its vibrant student life well-known throughout Sweden. For those who have already been enjoying this lifestyle for some time, the importance of Hälsningsgille to welcome more faces into Lund’s student life is highly recognized.
Speaking on his own experience as a prominent member of Wermlands Nation, Australian Masters student Edward Percival described what he has gained. “[Wermlands Nation] is probably my one and only connection to Sweden and the Swedish people…I didn’t do anything like this in my bachelor’s degree, and I’m learning new skills such as leadership which I hope to use later in my working life.”
Students like Mr. Percival understand the joy and personal enrichment that accompany participation in Lund’s student life. Hälsningsgillet was a golden chance to afford others the opportunities in Lund they might have never known they had. Following yesterday’s lively event, perhaps more students have found that special connection which will make their life in Lund all the more enjoyable.
