Representatives of Latvian universities learn about RSU's good practice and achievements in attracting international students

On 5 October, the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) International Department (ID) welcomed the participants of the Study in Latvia initiative – representatives of other Latvian universities and the State Education Development Agency (SEDA) – to a presentation of how RSU attracts international students: strategy, practice, and achievements.

In her opening remarks, Sintija Šmite-Tilika, Head of Study in Latvia and the SEDA representative that administers the Study in Latvia initiative, expressed her gratitude to RSU for its openness and readiness to share its good practice and invited other Latvian universities to follow the example. She emphasised that it is important to meet in Latvia, not just at exhibitions and conferences abroad. Study in Latvia aims to display the wide range of study opportunities in order to promote Latvian higher education programmes in European Union (EU) languages to international students.

The participants got an insight into RSU’s more than 30-year-long history of admitting international students. This dates back to 1990 when the first international students from Lebanon started studying at RSU. In 2006, the University saw a significant increase of students from European countries, shortly after Latvia's accession to the EU. RSU can demonstrate the increase in the number of international students since 2015 with the range of countries represented, which increases by 3-5 countries each year.

Currently, 2,895 international students from 78 countries are studying at RSU. 27 of them are the only representatives of their home country. The top 5 countries have remained stable in recent years – Sweden, Germany, Finland, Norway and Italy – but the dynamics between these countries are changing. There is an increase in Finnish and Norwegian applicants. Representatives of RSU also explored its philosophy of international admissions, which is based on fast and clear communication, a student-centred and personal approach, openness and transparency, excluding any kind of discrimination, as well as active cooperation with current international students. The recruitment process is an important part of the University’s daily work and the main activities include education fairs, RSU information days at Latvian embassies abroad, face-to-face and online seminars for the clients of RSU’s cooperation partners – agents, face-to-face and online Open Days, active work with 50-60 recruitment agents, individual visits and consultations, as well as active communication in English on RSU social networks.

RSU also put forward several examples of the successful integration of international students. Orientation Week should be highlighted as a particularly successful event. The event has been organised twice a year at RSU since 2010 to give the newly admitted international students an insight into the study process and learning environment at RSU, to inform them about student organisations, practical aspects of student life, as well as to familiarise them with safety and public order rules in Latvia as well as local culture. The RSU Mentorship Programme is another good example of integration – senior students (both local and international) are invited to volunteer as mentors and pass on their experience and knowledge to first semester international students. This programme is designed to provide international students with support in transitioning to academic life during their first semester by giving advice on the study process. The programme also promotes the integration of international students in Latvia by advising on practical matters and encourages communication between local and international students. This is also the objective of Speed Friending, an event organised twice a year at the beginning of each semester to bring local and international students together. The event involves getting to know the students through games, followed by a so-called speed friending game. According to the newly-admitted international students, this event is a great way to get to know the local students and their mentality and make new friends.

Special attention was devoted to the support that RSU provides with regard to immigration procedures, which are mandatory for all RSU international students. During Orientation Week, EU citizens are informed about immigration procedures, documents that need to be submitted and the advantages of registering in Latvia. Non-EU nationals are informed of the necessary procedures in advance and individual work is carried out with each student in cooperation with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) and Latvian embassies on visa applications and residence permits. During Orientation Week, students have the opportunity to fill in the OCMA application form for a temporary residence permit together with Immigration Officers from the RSU International Department.

Next, a representative from the RSU International Student Association (ISA) spoke about the activities that ISA offers and the role that various RSU student organisations play in student life. These include academic, sports and national associations. The information fair that ISA organises was highlighted as particularly valuable to students as it allows them to learn about these associations and thus integrate more quickly into the RSU environment. Freshers' Week is another key activity that ISA organises. It takes place alongside the official Orientation Week programme and features a variety of sports and entertainment activities for new students, while inviting them to get to know Riga and thus help them settle into their new home more quickly.

The presentations were concluded by a panel discussion with ID staff, representatives of Latvian universities, and SEDA. It covered a range of topical issues related to attracting international students, immigration and support.

Cooperation with Study in Latvia

On 22 September 2022, RSU, together with 14 other Latvian universities, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of the Interior, signed an agreement on good practice in attracting international students and ensuring the delivery of a high-quality study process. Four more Latvian higher education institutions joined in 2023. The universities that have signed the agreement confirm that they will continue to work towards international recognition of higher education in Latvia, as well as promote the quality and competitiveness of studies. The public sector, for its part, is committed to taking the necessary measures in the provision of higher education, consular services, promoting Latvia's international policy, and continuing to ensure clear principles for migration and entry into Latvia.