On 26 September 2016 began another edition of the Orientation Week, directed to the Jagiellonian University’s foreign students, organised by the JU Erasmus Student Network and JU International Students Mobility Office in collaboration with the JU Student Government. All international students, regardless of the length and type of their study programmes, are invited to participate in the event.
The Orientation Week started off with two Welcome Meetings in the Collegium Maius Assembly Hall. During those meetings, Prof. Stanisław Kistryn, JU Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds, encouraged students to always strive to deepen their knowledge and develop their academic interests, while Marta Ganobis-Bednarska, Head of the International Students Mobility Office, stressed the benefits of studying in a foreign country, which include development of interpersonal skills and gaining new experiences.
Katarzyna Jurzak-Mączka, JU Rector’s Proxy for Students Safety and Security, informed the students about the rules and regulations in Poland, particularly those that could prove to be problematic.
Krzysztof Byrski, International Students Mobility Office coordinator for incoming students, explained key organisational procedures related to registration, studying, insurance, and accommodation. He also presented two crucial initiatives launched during the Orientation Week: ‘JUStart with Erasmus+’ workshops, which assist in adapting to living in Poland and learning Polish, as well as the Academic English course. Both of these projects are realised in close cooperation with the School of Polish Language and Culture and the Jagiellonian Language Centre.
The meetings ended with presentations by the JU Erasmus Student Network – one of the best-organised Erasmus sections in Europe. The students were able to familiarise themselves with the structure of this large organisation run by volunteers whose most important goal is to support foreign students studying at the Jagiellonian University.
Orientation Week will last until Sunday. You can enrol to specific events at the ESN UJ headquarters (Collegium Novum, room 030). The number of participants is limited, so best be quick! For more information, visit the our Facebook profile and event page.
We wish everyone a great start and a successful academic year!
Text: Marta Ganobis-Bednarska
Photographs: Paweł Myszka, Marta Ganobis-Bednarska
