Tonight marks the 3rd dissertation party we have gone to, since moving to Finland and I figured it's probably a good idea to inform you folks what happens and how to dress and act.
Tonight also marks the first dissertation party I had to leave early - because our son's 2-year old molars decided to tackle him tonight and if that wasn't good enough - he also developed 3 large canker sores in his mouth (at least on one side). Not a pleasant boy - let me tell you.
(Dissertations in Canada seem to be more low-key and I do not think the university hosts a fancy dinner with alcohol as well. So this is purely based on the 3 we have attended while living in Finland).
So - a dissertation is when someone has finished their thesis and has to speak about it and is challenged by an opponent (usually a visitor from another university or even country!). It's not a fight - just a healthy debate and a test - to see if you are truly well informed of what you were studying and to see what you know.
This can take a few hours - and yes, (as far as I know) there is a break somewhere in there. That's usually held after lunch. (There is typically a panel that review this and one particular opponent).
In the evening, there is the celebratory dinner and if you are invited - consider it an honor! Your invitation or colleague whom the dissertation is for, will inform you of the dress code - but if that is not noted to you directly - take it from me: dress up.
Dress as if you are going to a wedding - without the hat or huge fascinator....and without the poofy dress that is more suitable for a prom.
Men - typically wear a suit, most wear a tie and nice shoes. Be clean and well-groomed.
Women - this is your time to shine! (Because we all know that we inspect and remember who wore what and how at these kinds of events...from near or far.)
My first dissertation we attended was a "black tie" affair and I didn't have the proper attire, was about 30 weeks pregnant (or more) and opted for an all-black ensemble and a bit of jewelry.
The second dissertation we went to - I was advised it was not black-tie, and opted for a dressy shirt (that allowed me to nurse our 6 month old) and dressy capri pants and heels. No jewelry then because the then 6-month old had a fascination for tearing things off my neck.
This round, I opted for a dressy blouse (in which I wouldn't cry if my now almost 2-year old dropped food or spilled juice on it), slightly dressy capri pants and sandals. Oh and a necklace - the first one I wore in over a year...and V�in� didn't rip it off my neck but gently touched it!
I've seen several high heels, several formal dresses or cock-tail dresses and shawls....unfortunately those are not safe for me if I'm chasing a 2-year old!
Now onto the other bits. When you enter the hall for the dinner, greet and congratulate the defendant. They'll be at the entrance way greeting everybody.
You should also bring a gift for the defendant. He or she has worked incredibly hard to come this far and has kindly thought of inviting you - whether you understand their thesis or not. (Two of them were done in Finnish if I remember correctly).
It doesn't have to be an elaborate gift - that's up to you. If you work with the defendant - there's probably a group gift you can donate to from the whole department.
Typically a bottle of wine or some flowers is considered very appropriate. (Yes, that's what we gave the defendant tonight, a bottle of wine - and I made a card).
Sometimes there is a seating plan - so this is prime oppourtunity to meet other people and socialize! If not - you still can mix and mingle.
Once the defendant formally welcomes everybody all at once - dinner usually starts from there.
The head table goes first and it's then clock-wise from there...or in organized order based on the table lay-out.
After dinner and before dessert - there are speeches. If you're in Finland attending a dissertation dinner - it's probably going to be in Finnish.
Be polite, don't talk, don't use your phone (unless it's an emergency and do that out in the hall way) and try to figure out what words you do know in Finnish! :)
Speeches are usually given by the defendant, their spouse, their parents, their special guests - the opponent, their supervisor throughout the thesis and some other colleagues.
After speeches there's usually dessert with tea and coffee - once again, head tables goes first.
After all that, sometimes there is some form of entertainment - sometimes a band or a DJ - but if you have kids - you're probably gone pretty early!
The most important thing about attending one of these dissertation dinners - is don't get plastered. It's rude, embarrassing and you'll probably get a killer hang over the next day. The primary reason for the dissertation is celebrate the defendant's work, research and time over the last 3-5 years...not to bring the attention to yourself as the loud-obnoxious drunk.
(Should you take the party elsewhere outside of the dissertation hall - then use caution and use the defendant as a guide. :P )
And of course, never drink and drive.
Tonight also marks the first dissertation party I had to leave early - because our son's 2-year old molars decided to tackle him tonight and if that wasn't good enough - he also developed 3 large canker sores in his mouth (at least on one side). Not a pleasant boy - let me tell you.
(Dissertations in Canada seem to be more low-key and I do not think the university hosts a fancy dinner with alcohol as well. So this is purely based on the 3 we have attended while living in Finland).
So - a dissertation is when someone has finished their thesis and has to speak about it and is challenged by an opponent (usually a visitor from another university or even country!). It's not a fight - just a healthy debate and a test - to see if you are truly well informed of what you were studying and to see what you know.
This can take a few hours - and yes, (as far as I know) there is a break somewhere in there. That's usually held after lunch. (There is typically a panel that review this and one particular opponent).
In the evening, there is the celebratory dinner and if you are invited - consider it an honor! Your invitation or colleague whom the dissertation is for, will inform you of the dress code - but if that is not noted to you directly - take it from me: dress up.
Dress as if you are going to a wedding - without the hat or huge fascinator....and without the poofy dress that is more suitable for a prom.
Men - typically wear a suit, most wear a tie and nice shoes. Be clean and well-groomed.
Women - this is your time to shine! (Because we all know that we inspect and remember who wore what and how at these kinds of events...from near or far.)
My first dissertation we attended was a "black tie" affair and I didn't have the proper attire, was about 30 weeks pregnant (or more) and opted for an all-black ensemble and a bit of jewelry.
The second dissertation we went to - I was advised it was not black-tie, and opted for a dressy shirt (that allowed me to nurse our 6 month old) and dressy capri pants and heels. No jewelry then because the then 6-month old had a fascination for tearing things off my neck.
This round, I opted for a dressy blouse (in which I wouldn't cry if my now almost 2-year old dropped food or spilled juice on it), slightly dressy capri pants and sandals. Oh and a necklace - the first one I wore in over a year...and V�in� didn't rip it off my neck but gently touched it!
I've seen several high heels, several formal dresses or cock-tail dresses and shawls....unfortunately those are not safe for me if I'm chasing a 2-year old!
Now onto the other bits. When you enter the hall for the dinner, greet and congratulate the defendant. They'll be at the entrance way greeting everybody.
You should also bring a gift for the defendant. He or she has worked incredibly hard to come this far and has kindly thought of inviting you - whether you understand their thesis or not. (Two of them were done in Finnish if I remember correctly).
It doesn't have to be an elaborate gift - that's up to you. If you work with the defendant - there's probably a group gift you can donate to from the whole department.
Typically a bottle of wine or some flowers is considered very appropriate. (Yes, that's what we gave the defendant tonight, a bottle of wine - and I made a card).
Sometimes there is a seating plan - so this is prime oppourtunity to meet other people and socialize! If not - you still can mix and mingle.
Once the defendant formally welcomes everybody all at once - dinner usually starts from there.
The head table goes first and it's then clock-wise from there...or in organized order based on the table lay-out.
After dinner and before dessert - there are speeches. If you're in Finland attending a dissertation dinner - it's probably going to be in Finnish.
Be polite, don't talk, don't use your phone (unless it's an emergency and do that out in the hall way) and try to figure out what words you do know in Finnish! :)
Speeches are usually given by the defendant, their spouse, their parents, their special guests - the opponent, their supervisor throughout the thesis and some other colleagues.
After speeches there's usually dessert with tea and coffee - once again, head tables goes first.
After all that, sometimes there is some form of entertainment - sometimes a band or a DJ - but if you have kids - you're probably gone pretty early!
The most important thing about attending one of these dissertation dinners - is don't get plastered. It's rude, embarrassing and you'll probably get a killer hang over the next day. The primary reason for the dissertation is celebrate the defendant's work, research and time over the last 3-5 years...not to bring the attention to yourself as the loud-obnoxious drunk.
(Should you take the party elsewhere outside of the dissertation hall - then use caution and use the defendant as a guide. :P )
And of course, never drink and drive.
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