The reception for international students for the autumn semester was on 19 August. The students come from over 100 countries, with the largest groups from Germany, China, the USA, Netherlands and Italy.
“On Arrival Day, the students receive support on practical aspects such as checking in, SIM cards, key collection and information from various organisations to facilitate settling in at Lund. There is also the opportunity to buy bed linen including duvets, pillows and sheets,” says Kristen Clarberg, international officer at Lund University.
The event takes place at AF Borgen and marks the beginning of the following two-week long introductory programme, Orientation Weeks.
“The programme has been developed based on previous students’ feedback. The information sessions have been adjusted to give the students more time to get organised and participate in student life. A day off has also been introduced to create a better balance during the introductory period,” says Kristen Clarberg.
A schedule packed with culture, a speech by the Vice-Chancellor and shopping
The programme for the new students includes both practical information and social elements, as well as cultural activities, such as games evenings, shopping visits to IKEA and second-hand shops, a welcome reception with music at Lund Cathedral, a speech by the Vice-Chancellor or deputy vice-chancellor, and excursions to the Söderåsen National Park.
“The aim of Orientation Weeks is to give the students an initial introduction to Sweden and Lund, a social context with the opportunity to make new contacts, and relevant and easily accessible practical information before studies begin,” says Maria Yartseva, student coordinator at Lund University.
The Orientation Weeks help the students to feel at home in Sweden and solve a lot of practical issues before teaching starts, which means they can focus on their studies. The mentor programme is also an important element of the reception at Lund University. The programmeoffers support and contact with 150 international mentors. The mentors, who are students at Lund University, create activities that enable the new students to immediately access a social context. They often act as the students’ first contact with the University and student life.
New for this semester is that, for the first time, the programme has been coordinated by an international student, Hannah Bickel, who has experience of being a new student in Lund.
“As an international student in Lund I have experienced both the joys and challenges of adapting to a new culture. This experience influences how I approach the role as mentor coordinator. We use such experience to ensure the programme is empathic, practical and responsive to the students’ actual needs and that we offer both guidance and meaningful support,” says Hanna Bickel.
Is there anything in particular that you hope the new students will take away from the Orientation Weeks?
“What I look forward to most is seeing how the students establish contacts and begin to create their own social circle. My hope is that they get a feeling of security, belonging and inspiration from the Arrival Day and Orientation Weeks – ready to benefit from their time in Lund, both academically and socially,” says Hanna Bickel.
Lund University ranked highly according to the International Student Barometer
In 2023, Lund University was ranked highly by the University’s international students in the International Student Barometer, a global survey based on four million student votes from around the world. Lund University scored particularly well in the Arrival and Welcome category.
“It’s an acknowledgement of the long-term work that is being done to create a secure and inspiring start for students from around the world,” says Maria Yartseva.
