The beginning of student life isn't just lectures, seminars, and first exams. It's a time of great discoveries, new acquaintances, and, of course, adapting to the rhythm of the capital. For first-year students of the Faculty of Engineering and Pedagogy at the Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU), this journey began with a vibrant, dynamic, and large-scale event. On September 28, the traditional interactive quest "Minsk, Meet Us!" took place on the streets of Minsk, bringing together dozens of ambitious, energetic, and challenge-ready first-year students who had just entered the university.
For reference: the "Minsk, Welcome Us!" quest is an annual traditional event at the BNTU Institute of Applied Physics and Technology (IPF BNTU), aimed at the sociocultural adaptation of the new student cohort. The project's main goal is to help the students, many of whom have come from various regions of Belarus, quickly settle into the capital, discover its iconic historical and cultural sites, and unite the recent applicants into close-knit study groups. The quest involves completing a unique urban route divided into thematic stations. The project is always organized by student activists and senior students of the faculty, who help the new cohort integrate into the larger BNTU family.
The quest's main intrigue and dynamic lay in its strict format: it was a classic intellectual orienteering game, where every minute counted. Immediately after the general start, the teams of first-year students plunged into a tense race across city locations. At the start, the groups received their first encrypted riddle, which described a specific landmark in the capital. To move forward, the students had to instantly activate their logic, collective wisdom, and erudition, decipher the location, and head to it as quickly as possible.
The route was structured according to a strict sequential chain. Upon arriving at the designated point, the team had to fulfill a mandatory requirement: take a high-quality and creative photo report confirming they had found the correct spot. Only after sending the confirming photo to the organizers did the group receive the next text puzzle. This cycle—riddle, search for the location on the streets of Minsk, photo capture, new riddle—repeated continuously throughout the entire course. The first-year students had to demonstrate not only their knowledge of the city map and its history but also their speed, as victory was awarded to those who could flawlessly navigate the entire urban labyrinth in the shortest time. Coordination was the key to success: the groups could not split up, so the students had to run, make decisions, and coordinate their actions as a single, cohesive unit.
Representatives of the winning group, 10904126, shared their impressions immediately after the results were announced:
"When we first set out on the route, we were a little apprehensive: the city is big, the tasks are challenging, and we still don't know each other very well. But by the third station, we had bonded, picking up on each other's ideas on the fly, and working as a single organism. This quest truly brought us closer! Winning is awesome, but the most important thing is that we're not just classmates anymore; we're a real team, ready to tackle any academic challenge!"
Organizing an event of this magnitude requires the enormous effort of a large team. The Faculty of Engineering and Pedagogics expresses its deep gratitude to the student body of the IAP and the senior students who served as curators, route developers, and judges. Their boundless energy, creativity, and sincere desire to help the next generation of students made this day unforgettable. The curators created an atmosphere of warmth, support, and healthy competition, showing the first-year students the true spirit of their faculty. The administration also thanks all participants for their sparkling eyes, dedication, and polite behavior on the streets of the capital.
The "Minsk, Meet Us!" quest has officially concluded, leaving behind hundreds of vibrant photographs, gigabytes of videos, and, most importantly, strong friendships. The first-year students of the BNTU IAP have proven their resourcefulness, team spirit, and undaunted adversity. This event was a great start to a long and exciting student journey. And for those who have gotten a taste for it and are looking for even more adventure, the organizing committee reminds them: this was just the beginning! A rich student life awaits them, full of scientific, athletic, and creative discoveries.
