Student Counselling Receives a Narwhal Tusk as a Gift

The University’s Student Counselling Service received a welcome visitor this October. Augustine Berthelsen, commonly known as Aggu, who works as a student counsellor at Ilisimatusarfik University in Nuuk, came for a visit to learn about the university’s operations, particularly academic and student advising.

Professional Knowledge Exchange

The visit lasted a week, and the schedule was full on most days, with Aggu meeting both staff and students at the university.

Among others, Augustine met with Rector Áslaug Ásgeirsdóttir, Vaka Óttarsdóttir, Director of Quality and Human Resources, Silja Rún Friðriksdóttir, Project Manager of the Learning Community, and Helena Sigurðardóttir from the Centre for teaching, learning and IT. 

^{Aggu in the Christmas house and with Aníta from Student Councelling at Goðafoss}

Rúnar Gunnarsson, Director of International Office, presented Erasmus opportunities and services for exchange students. This sparked fruitful discussions, as a considerable number of students from our university spend semesters in Nuuk, and likewise, many Ilisimatusarfik students study abroad each semester. We also received an excellent presentation from Sara Stefánsdóttir about a new programme for students with intellectual disabilities, admitted for the first time this autumn.

Finally, Aggu met with Astrid Margrét and Pia Susanna at the Library and received a thorough introduction to the services offered to students, teachers, and other university staff.

Opportunity to Explore the Area

The visit did not take place solely on campus. We also drove around town, enjoyed a home-cooked leg of lamb together, and before the flight from Akureyri on Saturday, there was time for a quick stop at the Christmas House and a short countryside drive. The final day of the week-long visit was spent on an enjoyable trip around the surrounding region to Húsavík, with a stop in Laugar to tour the upper secondary school there.

^{The Narwal Tusk}

It should also be mentioned that Augustine brought a gift: a 20 cm narwhal tusk. Aggu is from Saattut in northern Greenland, located roughly 2,300 km north of Nuuk. Her father and husband are currently out hunting, as the narwhal comes close to shore in search of food in her home region. The tusk is now on display at Arna Garðars’ office at the Student Counselling Service.

A Meaningful and Inspiring Visit

Augustine was extremely pleased with the visit and said repeatedly that she left with endless ideas, adding, “we have so much still to do back home.” Our conversations extended beyond university matters and touched on daily life, how various systems work, women’s progress through the years, domestic violence, and much more.

We at the Student Counselling Service thank everyone who was willing to support us in making the visit of this special guest both informative and engaging.