Record number of international students to arrive in Umeå
NEWS
On Monday 25 August, Umeå University will welcome its new arriving international students. The week-long orientation course provides students with an opportunity to get to know each other and gain an insight into what it's like to study and live in Umeå.
An all-time-high number of incoming exchange students - a total of 540 - are expected to begin their studies at Umeå University for the autumn 2014 term. This is an increase of over 60 students compared to the autumn 2013 term.
The majority of the international students - a total of 1480 students - are enrolled in degree programmes and single-subject courses and have applied to Umeå University independently. This is 130 more students in comparison with last year.
Those from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. This autumn, there are 110 new fee-paying students, about 30 more students than last year.
"It is very gratifying that more international students have chosen to attend here," says Anders Fällström, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University. “Umeå University intends to be a place that brings together different ideas, thoughts and beliefs, and where international students play a very important role. They contribute to raising diversity and improve the long-term quality of our courses and programmes.”
The incoming exchange students are from 40 countries. The nation representing the largest number of students is Germany, followed by France and China.
"This diversity helps to increase both the international and Swedish students' ability to work in a changing and globalised labour market," says Anders Fällström. "It gives students and teachers a greater cultural understanding."
The majority of new exchange and fee-paying students are expected to arrive in Umeå during this weekend of 23-24 August. They are offered accomodation from the International Housing Office at Umeå University. Students will be welcomed at the new Infocenter in the Universum Building where they can retrieve keys and later get transportation to their residences.
On Monday 25 August at 13:00, the week-long orientation course for international studentswill begin. It consists of a series of lectures and activities that will help the new students become acquainted with life in Umeå and studies at the university. The new students be given information about the Swedish study system, a guided tour of the university library, information on tourism and leisure activities in Umeå and the opportunity to participate in social activities in the Buddy Programme organised by the Communication and International Relations Office. The week ends with a reception at a restaurant the city centre.
Autumn 2014 incoming exchange students are from the following countries:
Australia 15
Germany 122
Netherlands 21
South Korea 16
Austria 9
Greece 2
New Zealand 1
Spain 24
Belgium 11
Hungary 2
Norway 1
Sri Lanka 2
Canada 7
Iceland 2
Poland 11
Switzerland 2
China 40
India 1
Portugal 3
Taiwan 5
Czech Republic 12
Ireland 12
Romania 1
Tanzania 5
Denmark 7
Italy 15
Russia 12
Turkey 12
Estonia 1
Japan 5
Singapore 2
United Kingdom 35
Finland 13
Lithuania 6
Slovakia 4
United States 14
France 68
Mexico 2
Slovenia 10
Vietnam 2
Photo by: Mattias Pettersson
For further information, please contact:
Anders Fällström, Pro-Vice Chancellor at Umeå UniversityPhone: +46 (0)70-493 85 27 E-mail: anders.fallstrom@adm.umu.se
Per A Nilsson, International StrategistPhone: +46 (0)90-786 68 66Mobile: +46 (0)70-236 62 30 E-mail: per.nilsson@adm.umu.se
Sandra Åström, International CoordinatorPhone: +46 (0)90-786 60 83 E-mail: sandra.astrom@adm.umu.seEjvår Falck, International Coordinator (International Housing Office)Phone: +46 (0)90-786 57 72 E-mail: housing@adm.umu.se
