Sarah Howell

Disclaimer: I absolutely love where I am living for this semester. I am in the “student city” of dorm buildings, called Pentagon (which I know for the Americans out there, conjures up images of our nation’s security and defense headquarters) but really is nothing more than a collection of dorm buildings consisting of 6-person flats in a variety of arrangements. All my roommates are also international students (1 Austrian, 1 German, 3 French, and 1 American – me) and they are all fantastic. Coming home late on a Sunday evening to the preparations of a crepe party is one of the great events (and a great benefit!) of living with other internationals, and in particular, three wonderful individuals from France (who make fantastic crepes!)

The rest of the Pentagon housing complex is a mixture of international students (who are for the most part either later on in their college studies and even working on a masters degree) and Norwegian students who are just starting college, most of whom are living away from home for the first time. Everyone I have met so far is absolutely lovely, but this very divers community surely does lead to a setting of plenty of partying. Which, I know, is what college is all about 😉

While I can appreciate the enthusiasm with which the drinking is pursued and loud music is blasted on a Sunday or Wednesday evening, it just no longer is my scene. Party hard, all you first time (or second time) students, but I may pass on the festivities. Also, beer is just bloody expensive…

To kick off the beginning of classes and move-in weekend a few weeks ago (sorry, this post is a little late) there was a HUGE bar-b-que and celebration in Pentagon. Lots of food, lots of people, and just an all around great chance to meet some new faces and mingle with the ones (i.e., the international students) who I already knew.

One event that took place was the “parade” of all the fraternities and sororities at UMB. These frats and srats are less similar to the greek scene that I was a part of in college, and more of just a group of different clubs, choirs, and singing groups that have existed on UMB’s campus for a variety of reasons. The oldest frat is the “tom cats” who have a usual uniform of red and white vertical striped suits. Their “house” is the top floor of one of the dorm buildings here in Pentagon, which you can easily identify by the red and white striped curtains, as well as the recently carved phallus that was carved into a tree next to the building (I do not have a photo – my apologies…)

The various frats and srats have a push-cart race tradition at this bbq, where each group brings a homemade go-cart (which usually reflects the group through its choice of colors and decorations) and the groups compete with each other to make a series of laps around the courtyard of Kringla (my building) until a winner is decided. I am not sure what the reward is – I assume prestige – but it was a hilarious spectacle and I have a few photos and video to represent the hilarious evening we all had watching. I am happy to say that there also did not seem to be any serious injuries except for some scraped knees and bruises. Great show 🙂

This is the beginning of the race, with the parade of the groups into the square.

The group in orange (I think) is the group that is in charge of organizing the UKA i Ås festival which is taking place this year for the month of October. This is a month long celebration of music from Norway and abroad in Europe. Should be a great time. The UKA people certainly had great costumes, and one of the more impressive go carts!

The boys in the caps and suspenders is another fraternity-accapella choir. They look like newsies. They also sing quite well 🙂