RSU Welcome Week brings together 464 new international students from 39 countries

From 25 to 28 August, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) is welcoming its new international students for Welcome Week, giving them an opportunity to get to know the university, the study environment and life in Latvia before the start of the academic year. 

This autumn, 464 new international students from 39 countries will begin their studies at RSU. In total, 1,840 applicants applied for RSU’s English-taught study programmes. 

The largest groups of new students come from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany. Together, these four traditionally important target countries account for almost 80% of the international students enrolled in this admission cycle. Sweden leads with 111 students, followed by Norway with 90, Finland with 85 and Germany with 80. Overall, 88.5% of the newly enrolled international students are EU/EEA citizens. 

The majority of new students, 412, have enrolled in the Medicine programme, while 34 will begin their studies in Dentistry. International students have also been admitted to the English-taught programmes Health Management, International Relations and Diplomacy, and International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship. 

Getting to know RSU, Riga and each other 

Opening Welcome Week, RSU Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Haralds Plaudis invited new students to use this week as a confident start to their studies and to actively get to know not only the university, but also the culture of Riga and Latvia, while sharing their own culture and experience. 

He emphasised that studies at RSU will be demanding and will require resilience, independence and discipline, but at the same time they will be based on cooperation:

'The people you meet at the university may become your friends, colleagues and research partners in the future. In turn, the decisions you make today and the investment you make in your studies will help build a healthier society in the future. We are proud to welcome you to our academic community.' 

The four-day Welcome Week programme is designed to provide new students with both the practical information necessary to begin their studies and the opportunity to get to know the people and environment in which they will spend the next few years of study. Students learn about how studies are organised, RSU's digital tools and services available to students, as well as immigration and healthcare issues. They also are introduced to the university's research, career, sports and other opportunities. 

The programme includes tours of RSU, sports and joint leisure activities, as well as events that allow you to get to know Latvia and its culture better. 

First contacts even before arriving in Latvia 

This year, the university's student ambassadors are playing a particularly active role in welcoming new international students, with their involvement beginning well before Welcome Week. Throughout the summer, the ambassadors hosted online meetups for incoming students from different countries, helping them prepare for their move to Latvia, their studies at RSU and everyday life in a new country. 

These conversations gave incoming students an opportunity to ask questions directly to those who had once been in the same position – moving to Latvia, starting university in another country and gradually finding their way around both RSU and Riga. During Welcome Week, the connections first made online continue in person, helping students build their first relationships within their new academic community.

Alongside practical information, Welcome Week offers opportunities for students to get to know both the university and one another. The programme includes guided tours of RSU, sports and social activities, as well as an introduction to Latvia and its culture. Drawing on their own experience, the International Student Ambassadors share practical insights into studying, everyday life and settling into Riga.

Welcome Week takes place from 25 to 28 August at the RSU main building, 16 Dzirciema iela, Riga.