Arrival Days – the welcoming process for new international students
Some of the new international students for the 2025 autumn semester who have just been assisted getting to the Segerstedt Building from Arlanda Airport. Photo: Sandra Gunnarsson.
Over a thousand international students arrived in Uppsala and Visby in late August to begin their studies at Uppsala University.
Anticipation and nerves were in the air at Arlanda Airport’s Terminals 2 and 5 as Uppsala University welcomed its new cohort of international programme and exchange students.
“I’ve been travelling for over 16 hours, so I’m very happy to see you here,” says a relieved student from Shanghai who has just arrived at Uppsala University’s Welcome Desk.
Buses and accommodation hosts
The newly arrived students were transported by bus from Arlanda Airport to the Segerstedt Building’s Welcome Centre, where they each received a welcome pack, practical information about their first days in Sweden, and the keys to their new homes.
Finally, they were taken to their accommodation together with hosts who could show them around the student areas.
In Visby too, a number of new international students were welcomed by University staff and student hosts at both the ferry and airport terminals. This year, following their arrival around 110 students participated in Campus Gotland’s Orientation Day that provided them with information, coffee and a campus tour.
Behind the scenes of the Arrival Days
Arrival Days are the result of extensive cooperation and careful planning with the aim of giving students the best possible start to their studies in Uppsala and Visby.
In 2010, the results of the International Student Barometer (ISB), a global survey of international students’ experiences, showed that only 60 per cent of newly arrived students at Uppsala University were satisfied with their reception. After identifying shortcomings and students’ preferences, strategic work was undertaken – and by 2023 satisfaction had increased to 90 per cent.
Uppsala University’s reception desk at Arlanda Airport. Photo: Sandra Gunnarsson.
“The goal of all student recruitment is to help students become successful alumni. An important part of this is to give them a good start at Uppsala University, not least in terms of practical matters on arrival. If students don’t have to worry about finding their way to Uppsala from Arlanda Airport, contacting their landlord and sorting out all the other practicalities, it is easier for them to concentrate on their studies. Through our Arrival Days, we give them a better basis for succeeding in their studies,” explains Joachim Ekström, Head of the University’s Student Recruitment unit.
All new international students were also invited to the University’s formal receptions at the University Main Building in Uppsala and at the St Nicolai church ruins in Visby.
Their introduction to Sweden, Uppsala, Visby and Uppsala University will now continue at each of the students’ departments and nations.
Sara Högbom