Mentoring Outdoor Challenge 2012

The Mentoring Outdoor Challenge 2012 was an Adventure Race designed for students from IST (Instituto Superior Técnico) as well as other schools from the former Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. It resulted from an initiative by NAPE-IST in collaboration with the Lisbon City Council and Tapada da Ajuda. The race took place in the Monsanto Forest Park. The competition was divided into two levels, and for each level, the race consisted of two different stages. NAPE opted for a race where strategy prevailed over other skills, allowing beginners to surprise more experienced adventurers.

 

Welcome Session for New 1st-Year and Exchange Students

Before the Mentoring Programme and Orientation Week, NAPE organized a party to welcome newly arrived students. The purpose was to receive and help integrate new students into IST through a relaxed and fun environment, complementing the reception initiated during the enrollment week. This encouraged interaction between 1st-year students, exchange students, Técnico students, and NAPE guides.

 

Music Recitals

For several years (the first one in 2003), NAPE organized Music Recitals with the objective of promoting socialization within the IST community through the dissemination of classical music. This cultural activity was unique because the participating musicians were students, faculty, or non-faculty members of the University of Lisbon with a musical background. This allowed them to showcase their musical talents and, at the same time, provide the IST community with the opportunity to attend a beautiful performance. NAPE guides continue to support the organization of each concert in the IST Music Season.

 

Football or Volleyball Tournament

With the aim of fostering camaraderie among new students and other members of the school, sports help develop teamwork, and for this reason, NAPE organized various sports tournaments. Due to the popularity of football, participants included international students, PALOP (Portuguese-speaking African countries) students, and non-teaching staff, mostly male. Therefore, NAPE also organized volleyball tournaments.

 

“The Green Side of Life” Hike

The hike was an environmental, cultural, and sports activity that did not require excellent physical preparation; participants only needed to enjoy walking outdoors and being in contact with nature. Participating in the hike was a good excuse to take a study break, get to know new colleagues, and enhance interpersonal relationships. This activity typically attracted around 50 participants, including domestic and international students, teaching and non-teaching staff.

 

Second-Hand Book Fair

This activity was quite useful as its objective was to promote the exchange of books among students. Some students had the opportunity to sell their books, which they no longer used, at reduced prices, giving other students the chance to buy books at more attractive prices. The presence of second-hand booksellers, bookstores, and publishers like IST/Press brought dynamism to the fair and allowed the entire community to access publications at reduced prices.

 

Microsoft Days

The Microsoft Days was an event that took place in the academic year 2014/2015, consisting of three days of lectures, workshops, and a live stream of an international event that participants could watch at Microsoft Portugal.

 

International Sessions (IS)

Since the implementation of the Orientation Week at the beginning of each semester, the International Sessions occurred two or three times per semester. They were events held throughout the year, targeting students from Mobility Programs, with the aim of introducing them to Portuguese culture and gastronomy and encouraging interaction and experiences among students. The most successful events among students were Savoring The World (a dinner where each exchange student was invited to bring food and drinks typical of their home country), Magusto Barbecue (celebration of São Martinho’s day during the first semester), and Farewell Barbecue (a farewell barbecue for exchange students at the end of each semester).