Students arrive on campus

The students are now starting to arrive for a new year at Linköping University. A number of international exchange students have already arrived and in the coming weeks other students gradually begin to fill up the campus. First up on 14 August are the students at the Institute of Technology, who are followed by the students at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Educational Sciences on 20 August. The last to arrive on 27 August are the students at the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The start of a new semester also means introductions and welcoming activities for new students during the first few weeks.

“As usual, it will be very noticeable in various ways on our campuses. Here at the Institute of Technology activities have already kicked off with roll call and a reception for our new students today, Tuesday. The teaching begins straight away tomorrow, but will be combined with welcoming activities in the coming weeks. We have worked with student unions and lecturers to make the activities and reception as good as possible. It's a fun time that starts now, it's so much fun to have an opportunity to welcome the new students”, says Camilla Hahn, who is a coordinating student counselor at the Institute of Technology.

Around 270 exchange students started on 1 August with a three-week intensive course in Swedish. The other exchange students, who total nearly 900, are arriving this week and next (week 34). The majority of the international master's students also arrive next week.

“We try to get all international students to arrive as closely together as possible in order to give them a really good reception”, says Helen Balogh, International Coordinator.

667 international master’s students have accepted a place on a programme at Linköping University.

“However, if we go by previous years, we expect that number to drop”, says Helen.

The student unions are also prepared and ready to spring into action for the next few weeks of student activities.

“The welcoming activities at the start of a new academic year are a really great opportunity to learn about the university and all new classmates. And there are many students who are involved in the activities. Just in our area - the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Educational Sciences – there are nearly 900 mentors who work hard to welcome the newcomers”, says Jenny Andersson, new chairman of StuFF, the Student Union of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Educational Sciences.

Foto: Göran Billeson

Eva Bergstedt 2012-08-14