"It is very important to be able to have Oktoberfest again because the COVID-19 pandemic showed how important social life is for students. Books and courses are a large part of being a student, but also making new friends and having fun," says Rebekka Karlsdóttir, head of the Student Council. She has been busy organising the festivities with her colleagues at the Student Council office and elsewhere, but Oktoberfest is now held for the first time in three years.
Almost twenty years ago a few students in German came together and celebrated Oktoberfest for the first time; German style, but the celebration has since grown larger and is currently a three day music festival on campus for students. Oktoberfest takes place 1 - 3 September this year in Vatnsmýrin; just like before the pandemic.
Rebekka says that the festivities are especially important for mingling and adjusting to the University community. Research has clearly shown that students met considerably fewer people during the pandemic than prior to it "so it is very important that we can organise events like Oktoberfest that bring people together to have fun and meet new people. It is such an important part of being a student."
Rebekka has good memories from previous Oktoberfests and says it brings groups of friends and student organisations together. "You recognise faces from classes and you go over to say hello during Oktoberfest, that is how people get to know each other better. We also encourage student organisations to bring their members on-site and we have created an environment where the groups can compete, creating a good atmosphere and here we are especially thinking of new students. This is a great opportunity to meet people," says Rebekka with the Ølympíuleikar SHÍ, contests between student organisations in all kinds of challenges and games.
