CONFERENCE
Going on a semester-long study exchange—living and studying in a new environment, meeting interesting people, becoming especially independent, challenging oneself—is an opportunity available to every UL student, and an increasing number of students are taking advantage of it. Upon returning to Latvia, students share the most positive memories—telling stories of colorful adventures, new knowledge and friendships, and all the beautiful and novel experiences they’ve had.
However, in reality, students often face greater or lesser difficulties during their mobility: for some, it begins with fear and anxiety even before leaving home; others struggle with finding accommodation, face problems with paperwork, or suffer from homesickness.
This is a new initiative developed in response to student feedback and shared experiences. The webinar inspired, reassured, and informed students about what to expect and how best to deal with upcoming challenges. Its focus was on adaptation, covering the various phases of adaptation, cultural, linguistic, and academic differences, loneliness, and homesickness. During the webinar, more than 70 students also tried out emotional regulation exercises to take with them on their journey.
In the second part of the webinar, students who had already participated in mobility shared their experiences and the challenges they overcame, as well as offered practical advice. At the end, participants had the opportunity to receive answers to all of their questions.
 International Mobility Unit of the International Cooperation Department, in collaboration with the Student Service psychologist, organized a special webinar on adapting to life abroad. Such support activities for students are expected to continue in the future. ){kind=link}