Coffee break with international students

In the first week of September, the RSU International Department (ID) invited colleagues to an informal meeting with international students over a cup of coffee. RSU employees had an opportunity to get to know more about international students and their experience at the university and in Latvia in general.

First, Head of the ID Admissions Office Māris Ginters introduced attendees to representatives of the vibrant international student community. Lecturers from the RSU Language Centre, Inga Laizāne and Inga Znotiņa and RSU Admissions Officer Ilze Zvēra shared their personal experience working with the international students. This was followed by a discussion where international students Anna Wiemann from Germany, Roshika Fernando from France and Stav Brodsky from Israel shared their impressions of studies and life in Latvia. Afterwards, attendees had the opportunity to ask the international students questions. The discussion was held in Latvian. 

“The presence of international students at RSU is a stable and significant part of university life. Each semester several hundred international students commence their studies. Prior to the start of each semester, the RSU International Department organises Orientation Week. During this week international students attract more attention and our colleagues often ask about them. This is proof that RSU employees take a personal interest in the international student community. That is why we decided to not only familiarise newly-enrolled students with the university, but also provide our colleagues with an opportunity to get to know international students better in informal settings. We are pleased that our colleagues took an active part in the event and suggested that such meetings should be held in the future,” said Baiba Pētersone, Director of the International Department at RSU.

Currently, over 2225 international students, representing 55 countries are studying in seven study programmes at RSU. International students from European countries such as Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy and Portugal make up the greatest percentage of the overall international student body. However, such countries as Israel, India, Sri Lanka, Canada and the USA are also represented. Prospective international students are welcome to apply for studies in the winter 2019 intake starting from 1 September.