Ástrós Arnarsdóttir from Iceland is a first-year master’s student at Molde University College's Sports Management program. She has just returned from a week of study-related work at the Ski World Cup at Kvitfjell.
Originally, the students were assigned to the slope crew, but given their lack of alpine ski experience, they re-organized and worked in the event administration for the whole week.
Steep learning curve on steep mountain hills
- My fellow student Anna and I got to be in the ceremony, which was fun. We got to see what the ceremony is all about and how they organize it. It was just amazing to be a part of it because the people who work there at Kvitfjell—most of them volunteers—just did a very good job of welcoming us.
Being a volunteer at the World Cup was far from a vacation.
- We started working every morning between 6.50 and 8.00 until all the work was finished. After the workday, we had a chance to go skiing. So we went there non-skiers and came back full-time skiers—or skiers at least, she says with a laugh.
Being an international student and volunteering in alpine events sets you up for a steep learning curve.
Ástrós and her classmates got to experience the thrill of heights and even being saved by a rescue party.
- At the beginning of the week, we felt kind of useless because most of us couldn't ski. The two of us even had to be rescued. We were stuck because we couldn't ski and had to walk up. Then it was just ice, and we couldn't get down, we couldn't get up, and we couldn't get to the sides. A local farmer came to the rescue on his snowmobile, and they were all saying, “OK, the Greek girl, we understand, but the Icelandic one?” Anyhow, it was a fantastic experience.
So now you're enjoying downhill skiing?
- Yeah, we are competing in the next World Cup event,” Ástrós says with a wink in her eye.
What was the biggest lesson you learned?
- Communicating with the other volunteers and the local farmers. They are just from the area, and every year, they help with this event by volunteering. It's a community, and I think it's one of the few skiing events that is every year at the same place, so it's a constant, and that makes the atmosphere. They come there, and it's a communal thing. That was my main takeaway because the volunteers are super important for events like this.
Why did you choose to do a master's in sports management at Molde University College?
- I have been a sports director and golf coach at a golf club in Iceland for some years. I have wanted to do my master's since I finished my bachelor's degree in 2018. So I started looking, and Molde has a partnership with the University of Reykjavik. So I decided to do my master’s here for the full two years. I really enjoy it!
Learn more about the partnership with the University of Reykjavik
Learn more about Sport Management studies at Molde University College
Master in Sport Management
Bachelor in Sport Management (Taught in Norwegian)
One Year Study: Sport and Adventure (Taught in Norwegian)