On 12 January, 412 international students arrived for Spring Arrival Day with a packed welcome programme – this year with a special focus on recovery. More will arrive in the coming days, with a total of around 700 international students expected this spring.
Some of the students who came from Australia thought it was a bit of a cold shock with a 50-degree temperature difference. Most of them were well dressed, but one poor fellow came in an unlined corduroy jacket. He was happy to jump into the bus waiting at the central station.
The newcomers were welcomed by 80 international mentors who are ready to take care of them and teach them everything about their new home. Their first spring in Lund will be extra special, as this year the Lund Carnival will also take place between 22–24 May.
Arrival Day has a long tradition at Lund University, with the concept having been in place for over 30 years. The programme looks a little different than before – this year's international students will be given extra time to settle in, something that previous students have requested.
“Arriving in a new country can be overwhelming. A balanced schedule with time for both activities and recovery provides better conditions for socialising and well-being,” says Hanna Gustafzelius, student coordinator at the Global Engagement section.
The 2026 introductory programme has been slightly redesigned to create a more relaxed pace than before. This year's students will have more breathing space in their schedules thanks to fewer lectures, more structured information sessions and time for their own activities, which should reduce the risk of information overload.
“We have listened to the wishes of previous students and prioritised quality over quantity. The goal is a welcoming and sustainable start to their studies in Lund,” says Kristen Clarberg, international administrator at the Global Engagement section.
Community through mentoring
The new international students are met at Kastrup and Lund Central Station by both university staff and more experienced students who act as international mentors.
“The international mentors welcome the new arrivals, organise group activities and create meeting places during Orientation Weeks. The aim is to give new students a safe start, an opportunity to make contacts and get into student life in Lund and Sweden,” says Hannah Bickel, international mentor coordinator.
"In practical terms, the new students are helped to find their way to the Ingvar Kamprad Design Centre (IKDC) for check-in. There, the students collect the keys to their accommodation before being driven to their new homes," says Kristen Clarberg.
The international mentor programme is a central part of the orientation programme, Orientation Weeks. Approximately 200 international mentors participate, 80 of whom are involved in Arrival Day. The mentors, who act as sponsors, work on a voluntary basis and are an important link between new students and student life in Lund.
Mentors can be Swedish students or other international students who have already been in Lund for one or two semesters.
“Often, international students themselves say that they really appreciated the warm welcome they received at Lund University and want to give something back to other students,” says Hannah Bickel.
Watch SVT Skåne's report on Arrival Day: Australian student in snowy Lund: "It was 40 degrees when I left."
Read more:
- Arrival Day och Orientation Weeks: www.lunduniversity.lu.se/your-arrival-lund
- International Mentorship Programme: www.lunduniversity.lu.se/mentors-and-friends
- Watch a video about how Arrival Day works: Arrival Day, YouTube