NEWS An estimated 500 international students from all over the globe participated in the four day Orientation Course at Umeå University for the 2009 autumn term. The introduction took place during 25 to 28 August and featured a broad programme about life at the university and Umeå. It was also a chance for students to make new friends and acquaintances, discover the campus and get a glimpse of the city's nightlife.
Moving to a new country with an unfamiliar language, culture and customs can be a challenge. So, at the beginning of every academic term, exchange students and international students are offered an Orientation Course, an overview of student services and an introduction to their new surrounding at Umeå University and Umeå Municipality. Nearly 40 nationalities were present, and the atmosphere was filled with excitement and curiosity.
The Orientation Course is managed by the International Office at Umeå University. A record 442 exchange students and hundreds of independent students in degree programmes and single-subject courses will begin their studies on Monday 31 August.
Autumn 2009 students arriving on exchange agreements come from the following nations:
Australia 2, Austria 13, Belgium 10, Brazil 3, Canada 10, China 6, Czech Republic 7, Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Finland 12, France 57, Germany 115, Greece 4, Guatemala 1, Holland 8, Ireland 16, Italy 19, Jordan 1, Lithuania 5, Nicaragua 2, Poland 15, Portugal 3, Romania 2, Russia 13, Switzerland 1, India 3, Slovakia 3, Slovenia 2, Spain 27, South Africa 2, Tanzania 2, Turkey 25, United Kingdom 31, USA 7, Taiwan 2, Vietnam 12. (Statistics for students outside of exchange programmes are not yet available). |
The programme was packed with several lectures and presentations; including practical information for new arriving students by Jenny Eriksson, International Coordinator, and introduction to the “Buddy Programme by coordinator Ulrika Back. In addition, Dorothy Åström from the Department of Language Studies discussed cultural differences, Dan Frost from the Umeå School of Business explained the Swedish system of study, and Professor Dieter Müller from the Department of Social Geography shared some basic insights to society and life in Sweden. Müller is a former exchange student himself, and first came to Umeå in 1991 from the University of Wurzburg in Germany.The four day programme also included a presentation of the IKSU student sport centre, the largest of its kind in northern Europe, and a brief overview of Umeå Municipality by Cathrin Alenskär, project manager of Umea’s bid to the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Evening activities included pub meetings, and a chance to try traditional Swedish recreational games such as “brännboll” (similar to rounders) and “kubb”, the Viking age lawn game.
The programme concluded with a guided bus tour of Umeå and guided walking tour in the city centre, with a welcome reception at the restaurant Rex, in one of the most historical buildings in the old city hall town square. The Orientation Course was held in English, as Umeå University offers a wide-selection of courses and master’s programmes with language instruction entirely in English.
Photo: Gösta Wendelius
Editor: David meyers