Welcome meetings for the new international students of the University of Lodz were held on 2 and 7 October. They were in Polish for a group of over 400 students starting their studies in Polish, and two meetings were held in English: for those starting their education as part of exchange programmes, as well as in study programmes with English as the language of instruction. The most popular study programmes this year include philological studies, computer science and management-related study programmes.
During the meetings, the new students learned, among other things, about: completing formalities related to their stay in Poland, the structure of the university presenting which units to contact to address their issues. They were also encouraged to participate in the life of the academic community: scientific clubs, sports sections and artistic activities.
More than 1,200 international students started their education at the University of Lodz this year.
Ukrainian citizens – over 350 people constitute the largest group among the international students. Many of them are people who came to Poland after the Russian invasion against Ukraine began and therefore, they could not study in their country.
An integration meeting at the Training and Conference Centre at Rogowska Street was the last welcome event. The University of Lodz International Relations Office, responsible for recruiting new students, together with the University of Lodz mentors and students who supported the new students in their first steps at the University of Lodz, planned a number of outdoor games and activities for a group of 400 students.
Information meeting for the international students with Prof. Robert Zakrzewski, the University of Lodz Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Education, and with employees of the International Relations Office of the University of Lodz.
During the meetings with the University of Lodz representatives, the new students were provided with the most important tips about studying and everyday life in our city. The Welcome Point was the new thing in the offer for international students this year. It was created at the University of Lodz Library. Here, mentors – senior students from various countries – supported the newcomers on site and provided information in faculty groups conducted online using instant messaging.
Activities performed as part of the Welcome Point are not the only novelties that await the new students in the near future. The University of Lodz obtained PLN 1.2 million from NAWA funds for internationalisation purposes for the years 2023-2025. The winning projects include: professional activities such as onboarding, creation of a Virtual Welcome Centre, and exchange of good practices in the field of recruitment and well-being for international students as part of study visits (including to universities associated in the UNIC alliance) and international expert meetings.
The projects "Get on Board – Wzmocnienie potencjału rekrutacyjnego Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego oraz rozwój marki UŁ na wybranych rynkach edukacyjnych" [Get on Board – Strengthening the recruitment potential of the University of Lodz and developing the University of Lodz brand on selected education markets] and "Welcome Onboard – Witamy na pokładzie UŁ" [Welcome Onboard – Welcome on board the University of Lodz] are financed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange as part of the Welcome to Poland 2022 Programme.
Source: International Relations Office, University of Lodz
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz