One week before the official start of the semester, 34 new visiting students arrived at the University of Liechtenstein. During the Introduction Week, they experienced an intensive period of instruction and are now ready for university life.
Currently, students of 40 different nationalities are studying at the University of Liechtenstein. This cultural diversity was also apparent when the new visiting students, who have come to Liechtenstein as part of the Erasmus exchange programme, were welcomed. A total of 34 young people from 20 nations took part in the Introduction Week from 25 September to 2 October. The week’s objectives were to find out more about Liechtenstein’s culture, tradition, history and nature, and to familiarize themselves with the new environment.
A chance for intercultural exchange
The students’ cultural diversity became particularly apparent at an event on Wednesday evening. At the International Dinner held in the university cafeteria, students brought traditional dishes from their native countries, and not only learned about their culinary preferences, but about each other as well. For the first time in an Introduction Week, the newcomers worked on a project. They composed articles about Liechtenstein’s culture and architecture, as well as economic and social topics, which then featured in their newspaper.
A visit from the foreign minister
One of the highlights of the Introduction Week was the visit from the Liechtenstein foreign minister Aurelia Frick. On Friday, she gave a talk on Liechtenstein’s position in relation to foreign countries, and was available for direct conversations with the visiting students. In addition, as one of the major aspects of the Introduction Week, German courses in which the students were able to practise and improve their language skills provided a basis for living and studying in Liechtenstein.
The diverse programme of the Introduction Week – including an excursion to Malbun, a birds-of-prey show and a scavenger hunt at their new place of residence, Vaduz – optimally prepared the international exchange students for the start of the semester. A total of 17 visiting students will participate in the Master’s degree programme in Architecture, 4 students in the Bachelor’s degree programme in Architecture, 9 students in the Bachelor’s degree programme in Business Economics, 2 students in the Master’s degree programme in Business Process Management, and another 2 in the Master’s degree programme in Banking and Finance.
"Thanks to these positive activities carried out by the university and the assistants’ attentive care, you are immediately able to feel accepted and at home! My compliments to the University of Liechtenstein, for doing everything it can to make us newcomers feel as comfortable as possible in this new environment."
Myriam Specht
Student from Germany
Master’s degree programme in Sustainable Design
"I think we all had an awesome week. We’ve met a lot of new people and seen a great deal – now I feel like this will be a good home during this academic year, and I can’t wait to experience more of what it has to offer."
Sverre Bjerkholt Aamlid
Visiting student from Norway
Master’s degree programme in Architecture