Societies are the backbone of the student experience at Trinity. From fun movie nights to debates, societies provide space for students to explore their interests and further their university experience. In a school as international as Trinity, however, societies are more than just a place to explore hobbies and interests – they can become a home away from home. Nordic Society, one of Trinity’s newest additions, does just that.
It was early last year when the founder of Nordic Soc, a medical student named Bryndís Marksdóttir Schultz, began attending college here at Trinity. Hailing from Iceland and having lived abroad previously, she knew how important it was to find a community that reminded her of home. Given the international population at Trinity, she and her fellow Nordic friends had figured that there must be some type of community within the school or broader Dublin area for them to join, but to their surprise there was nothing of the sort. This was the spark that lit the match for Nordic Soc.
In order to start a formal society at Trinity, there are a few steps that must be taken. Firstly, you must email the Central Societies Committee, otherwise known as the CSC, to establish interest and get the ball rolling. Secondly, signatures – if you want to create a society, you need to prove that you have the support of students. A few hundred signatures were garnered by volunteers, who spent the better half of a week haunting Arts Block and the library. The budding Nordic Society decided the best way to gauge real interest and prove itself as a formidable contender for becoming a recognised society was to host an event before its formal existence. Their pub night was a smashing success with over a hundred people in attendance. And so, armed with photographic evidence of interest in their nascent society, Schultz and the committee went into their CSC presentation confident, and walked out as Trinity’s first ever Nordic Society.
Looking back on those times now, President Schultz notes the support that they received from total strangers, the majority of whom were not Nordic, but who were intrigued with the idea and passion of Nordic Soc and their members. Societies provide a concrete hub and a fashioned home, for those away from their roots and culture, as well as a unique opportunity for people outside of that culture to connect with it.
Community lies at the heart of Nordic Soc with President Schultz highlighting, “The biggest joy has been providing a space for community. At our events, you can step into a room and hear Icelandic, Danish, Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian all being spoken at once. Friendships spark between people who never would have crossed paths otherwise, and that’s exactly what we hoped for.”
The most important note from Bryndís for anyone interested in joining Nordic Society is as follows: “You don’t have to be Nordic to join! Half the fun is mixing cultures and seeing how different international perspectives connect. At the same time, we love seeing Nordic students get involved, since the society is meant to be a home base for them on campus. Whether your interest is hiking, food, language, or just figuring out why the Nordics are so obsessed with saunas, there’s space for you here.”
There are many plans already underway for the future of Nordic Soc, including the usual Fresher Fairs stands and pub nights, as well as larger events in the works – a flagship event, potentially a scavenger hunt across Dublin or a day trip within Ireland. Alongside bigger events such as those, plans for film screenings, speaker events with notable Nordic artists and academics and other activities are underway. Variety is key, as Schultz notes, and a broader range of events can cater to a variety of interests.
The biggest challenge so far with the society, as committee members remark, is logistics. It is one thing to think up potential events for the future of the society – it is another altogether to make them happen. “A lasting society needs budgets, rooms, equipment, volunteers and most of all, time. Balancing all of that with student schedules is no small feat. But with such a dedicated committee, the effort has been more than worthwhile,” Schultz remarks. Much of the student societies’ budgets are made up of the society fee, typically a cost of €2 per society, though Nordic Soc is hoping to offset the cost of larger-scale events through sponsorships – rumour has it that a potential sponsorship with Ikea may be in the works, as one committee member spills.
One true benefit of being a young society is that it is malleable and looking for direction, not just from the wonderful committee members, but from the society members themselves. “We also want our members to shape what the society becomes. If someone suggests a film night, a lecture or a trip, we’ll try it. The whole point is to be flexible and welcoming, not rigid. So whether you’re Nordic or just Nordic-curious, come join us!” President Schultz highlights. Nordic Society is, in its heart of hearts, a home away from home for students who need it, and therefore it is important that it makes room for the needs and wants of its members and community, something that the committee and president are acutely aware of. It is this mesh of community and mix of backgrounds that have come together to appreciate Nordic culture, values and spirit that has kick-started this remarkable beginning.
