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New international students get to know the University of Latvia

Students are dancing
Photo: Toms Grīnbergs, UL Communications Department
The students are sitting in the hall at the Welcoming Day
Students at the Welcoming Day”
The students have happily raised their hands
The students are sitting in the hall at the Welcoming Day
UL rector Gundars Bērziņš
Folk group Dandari

This academic year, more than 400 international students from 53 countries around the world are joining the University of Latvia (UL) community. To help the newly enrolled students to adapt to the university environment and Latvia, the UL Department of International Cooperation organized a Welcome Day at the end of August, before the beginning of the academic year.

At the event, students learned about UL, the study process and e-systems, the support provided by the University to students, library resources and services, as well as the opportunities to become involved in extracurricular cultural and sports activities. The event programme included a practical seminar on time planning and work organization.

To exchange experiences between students themselves, senior international students and graduates, as well as representatives of student organizations – UL Student Council (ULSC) and Erasmus Student Network Riga (ESN Riga) – participated in the event with inspiring stories.

“The UL Welcome Day was particularly useful and informative. We explored the resources and activities offered by the University. The programme was well considered and gave a clear, comprehensive overview of the opportunities for international students,” Marion from France shared her impressions.

At the end of the orientation day, the students were invited to a reception by the Rector of the University of Latvia, Prof. Gundars Bērziņš, who opened the event with best wishes for success and recommendations for effective use of the study time at UL. In the evening, the students enthusiastically took part in Latvian folk dances and games led by the folklore dance ensemble “Dandari” of the UL Culture Centre.

“The event gave a really good impression of the University – it is very open. The informative part of the day was well structured and thought through,” says Kobbe from the Netherlands of the Welcome Day. “I was pleased that the rector joined the event. It was nice to dance with the folklore band, they got all of us involved.”

UL Department of International Cooperation expresses its gratitude to all colleagues who contributed to the Welcome Day – UL Student Services, Culture Centre and folklore dance ensemble “Dandari”, Sports Club, Library, as well as ULSC and ESN Riga.

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