Starting a new academic chapter and settling into a university and a country that is not your alma mater or home country entails curiosity, willingness and openness to learn about a different academic culture and interculturality. 

Around 50 international students began their Joint Master’s Programme at the University of Graz last month. To offer them a platform for a friendly welcome and initial networking, the Office of International Relations organised an event to which the new student’s intake, mobility students and fellow students enrolled in these Joint Master’s Programmes were invited. 

A warm official welcome by our Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Equal Opportunities, Prof. Mireille van Poppel, kicked off an interactive event whose relaxed atmosphere offered our new student’s intake an invaluable opportunity to establish contacts with their fellow students, academic coordinators and representatives of important units at the University of Graz at this early stage.

Afterwards, students commented on how informative and welcoming the event was, and how much they appreciated being able to ask questions in such a relaxed and informal setting. We are also certain that this afternoon not only laid the foundation for an important chapter in their academic lives, but also forged lifelong friendships.