Extra-Academic Programs

Though it was an intense 3 days of work, the Book publishing crew actually started working before the PBL week brainstorming the plans for a more long-term project. The original goal was to publish a storybook about the origins of RCNUWC and the life before, during, and after RCNUWC. Now, our primary goal is more modest- first and foremost, we will collect all the stories we want first into an online document. Then, we hope to publish a book by graduation 2010 (!)

We saw this as a great opportunity to involve alumni in some way other than solely financial contribution. With this collection, we are creating a tangible RCN community, past and present. The reader will be able to explore what other people have found on their journeys through RCN.

During the PBL, we worked on writing letters to alumni and co-years at other colleges to entice them to give us their story. In the process of writing, our objectives evolved a bit; we realized that if we wanted to distinguish ourselves from being just a yearbook, the stories we collect must have a more general appeal, which provide something inspirational and impacting. We wrote a few samples of our own to better visualize this, and by the end of the three days, we had developed and pitched our project to all our potential contributors.

It’s a good start to a long-term project. Alongside the PBL team, we have Angelika, Márcio and Jens Martin to help bring this project to fruition. Be on the lookout because soon, we’ll be asking for your very own story!

The Story Team

Craig, Valeria, Motlatsi, and Nikki

The idea originated because the Asane Folkeskule students from the Latin American class were planning a trip to Mexico and Guatemala and contacted us to visit and meet our Latinos to interact and get some cultural perspectives. So they came first in late November to meet our first year class and invited us to visit them in January. This PBL is also part of Nordic Studies.

Monday was spent in our getting Norwegian cultural awareness kicked off by a visit to a historical XIX century ship anchored in the port. The boat is so beautiful and made of the shiniest wood, with brass railings, bells and many sails of different shapes and sizes. Then on to visiting historical sites and museums in Bergen like the Bryggen museum that has a collection of Viking memorabilia, foundations, artifacts and ships showing the life of the city during the Middle Ages, when it was part of the commercial zone known as the Hanseatic League.

On the upper floor there was also a brilliant exhibition of World Heritage Sites photos, where Machu Picchu, the Amazon, Patagonia, Aztec and Mayan ruins and other UN protected places were featured.

Then we were lucky to have the Rozenkrantz Tower specially open for us and Knut, a wonderful and knowledgable guide, to provide a detailed explanation of the city in the times of King Haakon and his luxurious Hall (also visited). The Tower was walked up and down from its freezing dungeons to its lofty belfry, where a wonderful view of the city is available. The tower was the lookout to guard the city from foreign invaders.

The last stop was going up the Floybanen cable car to the top of Bergen’s highest mountain, where the clear day allowed us to see the many nooks and corners of the various bays and hills the city is founded on. We continued our visual appreciation by doing a tiny spot o’shopping as well.

On Tuesday it was Latin American day and students did the workshops they had planned including role plays in shops, presentations on geographical and cultural aspects, Q&A’s, and discussions. The Asane folk were extremely involved, polite and openly warm to our visit. The last workshop was, of course, salsa and other dances and it was very successful indeed. Evenings of both days were used for social gatherings where pancakes and cakes were offered. Together with the comfortable premises and general hospitality, the Asane people were great hosts indeed.

On Wednesday, we did the last trip to a museum outside the city featuring the sailing culture and heritage of the West coast of Norway, with the extra bonus of a contemporary fashion display.

It was a beautiful PBL with great weather and we all look forward to continue with this cooperation next year. The travelers will probably visit us again in the spring to show the photos of the Mexico-Guatemala trip.

Thanks to all involved for the great job and the good vibes. Buen viaje!