New international students were welcomed

Chinese, Finns, Americans, Dutch, French, Pakistanis - were some of the nationalities, and more there were, when University West on Friday, August 28 welcomed the new international students. Just over 130 individuals came together - with the dominance of Chinese who were nearly 60 of them - to get information about their new life at University West. A journey for the individual has begun.

- I had heard that you in Sweden focused much on teaching group exercises and using real "case" from the working life. In Germany, where I come from, is it traditional pulpit teaching that dominates. I therefore chose University West, who is a partner university to my university in Nürnberg, to experience this and see if it works better, says Tobias Nagl who is to read Electrical Engineering during one semester.
Beside Tobias I find Christine Frühholz who also is here for one semester and come from the same university as Tobias.
- So far, I am positive! We came here a week ago and have had time to familiarize ourselves with the town. I chose Sweden, Trollhättan mostly because the beautiful nature's sake - and it is beautiful - and to improve my English skills. I will read Swedish and Economy and I am excited to be here!

130 international students
110 of the 130 international students come to study at University West in the context of the exchange agreement between their home university and University West. A number of students have applied and been admitted to the three-year so-called IPPE Program, International Program of Politics and Economy. Others read some of the individual courses that are taught in English. In addition, a number of students outside of the agreements, known as Free Movers, come to read the University's international master-/magisterprogram.

Vice chancellor and Trollhättan city welcomed
The day began with welcome by vice chancellor Lars Ekedahl who found the congregation before him, symbolized the globalized world we all live in. He also pointed out that Sweden now gradually started to realize that there are more ways than the Swedish to carry things on. This also contributes to the university when the international students bring new ways of looking at things. Lars Ekedahl also wanted to encourage students to "network" as much as they can and make every effort to try to interfere with both Swedish, but also students from other parts of the world than themself. Or as he put it: Help us to have exchanges with all of you and all your cultures! Lars Ekedahl was also impressed that they dared to take up the challenge to get here - some from the other side of the world - and welcomed them warmly.

In the start of the day was also given a presentation of Trollhättan city through its Information Officer, Peter Asp. The idea was that students would get a picture of Trollhättan in town, what has characterized its emergence and industry and the possible leisure activities available. Almost all the students were able to name which two carbrands produced in Sweden when they were asked about it and indeed which of those manufactured in Trollhättan. A happy Peter Asp finally greeted them warmly.

FIKA (coffeebreak) - the main Swedish word
As a small start on the coming new orientation course "Preparatory Course for International Students" were students during the first hour to learn one of the most important words in the Swedish language - FIKA (COFFEEBREAK) (the most important of all cases according to Carl-Fredrik Miles, employee of the University's International Office). And of course, FIKA can be a quite important word to begin your journey with!
During the day all sorts of practical information, meeting with international coordinators were conducted and before the day was over, even a tour of campus.