How do you find your way in a foreign city where you don't know the area and nobody speaks your language? Foreign students from UG, PG and GUMed took part in a sightseeing tour organised thanks to the cooperation between Fahrenheit Universities and the City of Gdańsk. During the event, they were able not only to see the most important places in our city (including the Main City, the European Solidarity Centre and Westerplatte) but also to integrate with other students in a similar situation.

On the occasion of the 'Welcome Week' organised at the respective universities, buses full of foreign students set off from the campuses of UG, PG and GUMed to visit together. The tour was a round trip, it aims to show the students of the Fahrenheit Universities where to spend their time during their first days in Gdańsk.

- 'Some people joke that Gdańsk is the world's only quantum city because you can be there and not be there at the same time. The centre we are approaching has been the only part of this city for hundreds of years. It has become accepted among locals that even when they are in a Gdańsk district, they say "I am going to Gdańsk." having the centre in mind. So, according to their logic, they are and are not in Gdańsk at the same time,' - said the tour guide for University of Gdańsk students, Michał Maj.

The students saw Gradowa Mountain, the European Solidarity Centre, the Second World War Museum, Gdańsk Stadium, Westerplatte and the Main City. Many of them had arrived in the Tricity only a few days before, so thanks to the event they had the opportunity to acclimatise to their new place of residence straight away.

- 'I was most interested in the European Solidarity Centre. Amazingly, so many people have joined one trade union,' - said Paula Pais Costa, a Spanish student who came to study English philology at the University of Gdańsk as part of the Erasmus+ programme.

The trip was also a great opportunity to introduce new students to the concept of Fahrenheit Universities. - 'I have not yet heard of such a committed joint venture between universities. In Germany, we usually have one university offering everything from engineering to social sciences,' - said Laurin Sedlmair, a law student from Düsseldorf.

This is another such event organised in cooperation with the City of Gdańsk. In previous years, foreign students have had the opportunity to take part in similar excursions. - 'I had heard that Gdańsk is a beautiful place and I was not disappointed. The Erasmus community is very active here, which also turned out to be true,' - said Laurin Sedlmair.

Welcoming foreign students to UG

Foreign students starting their education at the University of Gdańsk also participated in the Orientation Days organised by the International Cooperation Office.

The events were attended by around 200 students who are taking part in exchanges within the Erasmus+ programme and exchanges based on bilateral agreements, as well as students who will complete their studies at UG. The predominant group is made up of students from Spain, Germany, Portugal and Romania (participating in Erasmus+ exchanges), as well as from Turkey, Azerbaijan and India (undertaking full-time studies). Arrivals from SEA-EU partner universities are also very popular.
The series of Orientation Days events began with information and organisation meetings for students, conducted by staff from the International Cooperation Office.
Young people also had the opportunity to learn about the activities and offers of the university by participating in meetings with representatives of university units: Career Office, Scholarship Office, Academic Centre for Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners, Centre for Physical Education and Sport, Office of the Equal Treatment and Anti-Bullying Ombudsman.
The foreign students also took part in an integration game organised by the Academic Cultural Centre at the Oliwa Campus. Active participation in the game enabled them to familiarise themselves with the topography of the Campus and its most interesting corners.

In addition to the aforementioned tour of Gdańsk, they also visited the Marine Station in Hel and the seal centre, thanks to which they had the opportunity to learn about the university's activities in the field of oceanography and research into the Baltic environment, including those related to the protection of seals and porpoises.
Among the numerous attractions were also the castle in Malbork and a weekend evening dedicated to student integration. Fahrenheit University students concluded their orientation days with a good time at the 'Fahrenheit Universities Freshman Party' at the Kwadratowa club.