The Integration Week for foreign international exchange students, including Erasmus+, was held from February 13-17. In the summer semester of the academic year 2023/2024, our University hosts 54 Erasmus+ students from 11 countries!
Integration Week aims to integrate the foreign students among themselves, as well as with their Polish colleagues, especially those who have taken on the role of Uni Buddies, and become personally involved in helping them. Foreigners then have the opportunity to get to know the region, the city, and our University. It is organized by a team: the Welcome Point (Internationalization Office) and the International Relations with the support of Polish and foreign Uni Buddies.
On the first day of their stay at our University, the students were welcomed by: Vice-Rector for Education and International Relations Professor Sławomir Smyczek, Ph.D., Dean of School of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies dr hab. Justyna Ganassali, prof. UE as well as Director of International Relations Ms. Edyta Gałecka, Director of Internationalization Ms. Edyta Lachowicz–Santos, and representatives of Student Services.
On the last day of Integration Week, February 16, partner BaseCamp Katowice hosted a Global Village, during which our new students had the opportunity to represent their countries, including food, beverages, and national outfits. Food is something that really brings people together, which is why participants had a unique opportunity to experience new flavors from all over the world. During this Global Village, we had the opportunity to get to know the culture of Italy, India, Turkey, South Korea, France, Spain, Romania, Portugal, and Egipt, among others. Our Uni Buddies ensured that all students from abroad could experience the famous Polish hospitality by providing a variety of homemade Polish dishes and beverages.
In addition, this year's Global Village was incredibly danceable. Artists from "Silesians" - the Song and Dance Ensemble of the University of Economics in Katowice, served the audience a real feast, presenting traditional Polish dances in beautiful, colorful folk costumes. Students also had the opportunity to enjoy a lesson in dancing the Polonez. Meanwhile, representatives of AIESEC, IB Research Club, and the Student Parliament presented their organizations, discussing not only the benefits of participating in them but also the activities and missions they carry out.
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