Dirt, songs and Coca-Cola: how students are initiated in different countries

The first day of school at the university is something that is remembered years later.The first solemn line, initiation into students, the subsequent party or a comic parade.Someone writes stories about this experience, and someone goes to a psychologist to heal the psychological trauma inflicted - yes, sometimes, in order to join the student community, you need to go through difficult tests.We did not recall the most cruel traditions that students come up with to test the strength of freshmen.But we were interested to know what is happening on the first days of September at universities in different countries.

University of St Andrews, Scotland

Here every freshman is taken under their wing by 3-4 year students.They are called "academic parents".“Moms” and “dads” introduce their children to university traditions, help them to join student companies.Such academic "families" are most often large - they have 10-12 "children" each.All are friends with each other, help and actively participate in the life of the educational institution.In late October - early November, there is a party where all members of the "family" participate in the battle with shaving foam.The tradition was originally more peaceful: it was a tea party to which freshmen brought a pound of raisins in gratitude for the guardianship.But the years passed and the quiet gatherings were modified into an irrepressible party with liters of alcohol and shaving foam.Oh, the times!Oh, morals!

Hope College, USA

If you're in luckto study here, then you should know that it is better to come to the initiation in a tracksuit.Here, since 1898, teams of freshmen and sophomores have faced each other in tug-of-war competitions.If you are not sure of your physical capabilities, then it is better to sign up for a fan team, which sometimes has more participants than competitors.And what kind of support is needed!The longest tug-of-war lasted 3 hours 51 minutes.How to do withoutcheering shouts?

University of Oxford, UK

Oxford traditions- this is what will dream in a dream all my life.In a good dream, naturally.Initiation into students is solemn and beautiful here.On their first day of school, freshmen don their dress robes and gather at the Sheldon Theater.And after the solemn ceremony and photo session, you can go to the library - for books for the first school day.Although the library will also have to go through the initiation ceremony.Here it is not just a reading room, but the largest Bodleian library in Europe, where it is impossible to use a library card without reading aloud a declaration promising to handle books with care.The declaration is pronounced in Latin and must be memorized.

Emory University, USA

Initiation into students at Emory University is fun andpleasantly.On the first day of class, all first-year students raise a bottle of Coca-Cola and make a toast: "To our rebirth!"The fact is that this brand has repeatedly sponsored the work of the university and these donations helped Emory become one of the leading research institutes in the country.Since then, Coca-Cola has flowed like a river here and nowhere in the area you will find a single jar of Pepsi.So let's drink to this!

Reed College, USA

establishments love musical processions and noisy parties.In the first days of autumn, the Noise Parade takes place here: all freshmen march around the campus, shout, beat drums, play instruments, and light torches in the late afternoon.

Elon University, USA

The word “elon” is translated from Hebrew as “oak ", so here every freshman at the initiation receives an acorn and a shovel to plantinto the ground.The idea is that while the student is studying, an oak will grow out of his acorn.Graduation can be celebrated under the shade of the foliage of your own tree.

Georg-August-Universität University of Göttingen, Germany

If youA freshman at the University of Goettin will certainly take you to get acquainted with the "Goose Girl Lisa" - this is a statue of a girl with three geese, installed near the town hall.Newly minted students traditionally climb onto the pedestal and kiss her face.The university administration unsuccessfully fought this tradition, issuing fines and warnings, apparently fearing that the statue would not withstand such active kissing.The ban is still in effect, but few people listen to it.But now there are options: if you don't want to kiss the bronze girl, give her a bouquet of flowers.

University of Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra), Portugal

We do not recommend dressing up on the first day at this university - just ruin your clothes...To withstand all stages of initiation, you need to pass the tests with water, paints and cans.Freshmen are poured with water at the presentation of faculties ribbons.And then showered with bright colors, hung with cans of carbonated drinks (probably to make the noise more) and sent to a cheerful parade through the streets of the city.As they say, welcome to the family!

Vassar College, USA

This collegefreshmen demonstrate their songwriting skills.Freshmen get together and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.But this is useless!It doesn't matter what kind of poet or composer you are!Either way, when you start performing your piece, the seniors will boo you and smear you with ketchup and chocolate sauce.The history of the tradition is unknown, but students love it.

Charles University (Univerzita Karlova v Praze), Czech Republic

Вthe first school day for freshmen organizes the game "Faust", its rules are similar to the transfer"Fort Boyard": here and puzzles, and difficult questions, and keys in barrels filled with bugs or dirt.

Hannam University, South Korea

The tradition of this university is the kindest and deserves to be adopted by other educational institutions.After the initiation ceremony, freshmen and educators can become blood donors.Everything is voluntary and with the permission of a doctor.If you do not want or cannot donate blood, no one will force you.But you must admit that starting your student life with real help to other people is worthy.

What student traditions does your university have? What was your initiation as a student?