Building Connections – and Gingerbread Houses
Inclusiveness and diversity aren’t just values we talk about at NHH—they’re at the heart of the BELONG Project. Last Friday, December 13th, our mentorship program kicked off with an event that was every bit as meaningful as it was festive.
The core of the Belong Project is the mentorship program where one or two new employees (mentees) pairs with two experienced NHH staff members (mentors). Its goal is simple yet powerful: to foster connections that help newcomers feel genuinely supported and welcomed. In many cases not just at NHH, but often also into the broader tapestry of Norwegian work culture.
This semester it is first time that there is a supervised and organized mentorship program available for new employees. Over the coming semester there will workshops for all the participants as well as individual conversations going on between mentors and mentees.
It starts with gingerbread houses
For our inaugural gathering, we embraced a beloved Bergen tradition: building pepperkake (gingerbread) houses. For many mentees from around the world, this whimsical activity was a first, and their enthusiasm was contagious. In small groups of two to four, mentors and mentees rolled up their sleeves and got creative, assembling everything from charming cabins and vibrant villages to a miniature version of Bergen’s iconic Bryggen waterfront—even an ambitious gingerbread “skyrocket” made a daring appearance.
The teams took their assignments quite seriously, and the pepperkakehus-tur also took us to ‘Thøgers vei” – the debate is still on if that’s where Thøgers’ house actually is. Until it gets eaten, “Thøgers vei” is displayed in the rector Thøgersen’s office.
Between the laughter and the icing sugar, there were moments of candid, open dialogue. Mentees shared their initial impressions of Norway and dispelled common stereotypes that didn’t match their lived experiences. The atmosphere was lively, honest, and full of goodwill—an exchange of perspectives that not only sparked laughter but also inspired empathy, understanding, and new friendships.
This kick-off event laid the cornerstone of a supportive, inclusive community that we hope will continue to thrive well beyond the holiday season. We’re excited to see how these mentoring relationships evolve and look forward to building a stronger, more vibrant NHH community—one where everyone truly feels they belong.