Number of new international students at RSU reaches all-time high

Last week, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) hosted the traditional Orientation Week, which is organised before the start of each new academic year to give international students an opportunity to get acquainted with RSU and one another. Next week, 508 new students from 39 countries will start their studies at our university, which is a new record (in comparison, last year 420 international students from 35 countries began their studies at RSU). In total, more than 2,900 international students from 77 countries are currently studying at RSU.

Most newly-admitted international students come from Europe - Germany (28%), Sweden (25.2%), Finland (13%), Norway (12%), Portugal (3.5%), Spain (2.8%) and Italy (2.6%). Almost 40 students have travelled a long way to Riga from South Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, North America and South America. The first-year students will be studying in five programmes. Traditionally, the most popular programmes are Medicine with 429 students enrolled, and Dentistry with 58 students. New international students have also been accepted into the International Governance and Diplomacy, Health Management, and International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship programmes.

Meeting with the new students, RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons emphasised RSU's commitment to creating a truly international environment. With approximately one in four students and visiting lecturers hailing from abroad, the university offers a lot of opportunities in terms of new contacts and experiences. The Rector wished them success in their studies and reminded the students of the wide opportunities that student life at the University offers. Speaking after the Rector, the Director of International Department Baiba Pētersone encouraged the new students to approach their studies and their chosen future profession with enthusiasm from the very first day, to take advantage of all the opportunities offered by the international and multicultural environment at RSU, and to strive to create positive change and improve the world by applying their knowledge and experience.

The newly-admitted students also had an opportunity to meet with representatives from different RSU faculties, administrative units, and student organisations during Orientation Week. The Chair of the RSU Student Union and the President of the International Student Association addressed the students, talking to them about the study process, including the studies platform, examinations, and assessments.

Students also had the opportunity to hear the personal impressions and experiences of two Italian students about life in Riga, while a representative from the Riga Municipal Police gave a presentation on important safety and public order regulations. The Orientation Week programme ended with exploring local culture by enjoying Latvian food and folk dances.