Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt

Welcome Days - University Life Made Easy: Your Guide to Thriving from Day One

The Welcome Days not only provide students with important information for starting their studies, but also give them the opportunity to get to know the university, their fellow students and lecturers.

Students at the Welcome Days of the University of Klagenfurt

Objectives

The Welcome Days aim to make it as easy, clear, supportive, and socially engaging as possible for international students to start their studies, navigate the Austrian higher education system, and settle into life in Klagenfurt. While the programme is generally aimed at all first-year students, special attention is given to international students. They are supported through targeted activities tailored to their specific needs and receive a comprehensive introduction to studying and living in Klagenfurt. In addition to the opening & introduction session presented in English, international students can take part in campus and library tours, degree-specific sessions for their chosen degree programme in English, as well as info sessions on topics relevant to international students. Students also receive important information on the website and in the English information brochure, which is provided upon enrollment. In addition to sharing key information, the Welcome Days place a strong emphasis on social interaction. From day one, students have plenty of opportunities to get to know one another and start building a supportive network of personal connections. For international students especially, this network can be an invaluable resource in helping them find their feet in a new environment and make a smooth, successful start to university life. From the very first day, personalised support is a top priority. The goal is to help students find their feet quickly, engage actively with their studies, and ultimately maintain a strong level of exam participation. Encouraging higher exam participation is a strategic objective of the university, as it plays a vital role in upholding the quality of teaching. The Welcome Days therefore make an important contribution to ensuring students get off to the best possible start at the University of Klagenfurt.

Background

The Welcome Days (formerly Fresher’s Day) were launched at the University of Klagenfurt back in 2017 with the clear aim of providing first-year students with the best possible start to their studies. From the outset, great emphasis was placed on developing a well-structured and comprehensive programme designed to prepare students thoroughly for university life. The development process was shaped by close collaboration between various organisational units within the university. Several departments played a key role in designing and continuously refining the programme. Responsibility for organising the event rests with the Office of Public Relations & Communications at the University of Klagenfurt. A central priority from the very beginning was to develop a well-rounded and carefully coordinated programme that prepares first-semester students as thoroughly as possible for their studies, creating ideal conditions for a successful start to university life. Participation in the Welcome Days is recognised as a course, for which students earn 1 ECTS credit upon successful completion. This can be counted towards their free electives, meaning the Welcome Days are formally embedded in the curriculum – highlighting their importance while also increasing their appeal to students. To encourage broad participation, no parallel courses for freshers are scheduled during the Welcome Days, ensuring that all new students have the opportunity to attend. Another key element of the event is the presentation of key university services. Throughout the Welcome Days, a variety of departments — including the library, the career service, the International Office, the University Sports Institute (USI), and the Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH) — set up information stands in the university’s main hall (Aula). In a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, students can explore the diverse support services available and establish initial contact with key points of assistance for their academic life.

(Implemented) Activities

With the introduction of English-taught degree programmes and the steadily increasing number of international students, the Welcome Days programme has been carefully expanded to include English-language sessions and information materials. International students are reached through English communication channels such as brochures, social media posts, and newsletters. Furthermore, a dedicated website and a Moodle course containing relevant study information are available well in advance of the event. To better address the needs of international students, a comprehensive redesign of the programme was developed in summer 2024. Even before this new concept was introduced, due to high demand with over 1,000 students taking part, the Welcome Days during the winter semester were held over two consecutive days at the start of the semester. The new concept now provides that the second day of the winter semester event is specifically aimed at international students, with the Welcome Days on October 2nd, 2025 being conducted entirely in English. In addition to a general introductory event, all campus and library tours, as well as information sessions covering topics particularly relevant to international students, are offered in English. Within the study-specific sessions, all English-taught Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes at the University of Klagenfurt are also presented.

Results

The Welcome Days at the University of Klagenfurt have a distinctly positive effect on the start of students’ academic journeys and the integration of international students. Students benefit on multiple levels — receiving not only practical guidance but also social support and academic assistance. Lasting improvements are evident in several key areas. Key topics such as course registration, examination procedures, the ECTS system, and the use of digital tools are clearly explained during the Welcome Days. This helps international students gain confidence early on in navigating university processes and ensures they feel well oriented and informed from their very first semester. The orientation course also helps students better understand their studies and plan their progress, encouraging them to take exams early on. International students who start well prepared tend to be more motivated and are more likely to have a positive academic experience over the long term. In this way, the Welcome Days act as a preventative measure against dropouts or delays and actively support the university’s goal of promoting successful study outcomes. International students who take part in the Welcome Days begin their studies feeling well prepared, motivated, and confident. They settle into university life more quickly, find their way around with ease, and are actively engaged in student life right from the start. This is reflected in strong exam participation and a high level of involvement in their studies. In turn, this contributes to better overall conditions for teaching.

Lessons learned

The Welcome Days at the University of Klagenfurt are a strong example of how crucial targeted communication is for ensuring a successful start to university life for international students. A key takeaway is that international first-semester students have specific needs that can be effectively addressed through a tailored English-language programme. Providing study-related information in English ahead of the semester – through platforms like Moodle or a dedicated website – has proven especially valuable in helping international students prepare and feel more confident before their studies begin. Another key insight relates to the structure of the event: dedicating a separate day to international students creates space for more detailed information and individual questions from international freshers who often have different needs and concerns than their domestic peers. Personal interaction, especially during campus tours or social events, plays a crucial role in helping students quickly settle into their new environment. Altogether, this not only improves their understanding of how the university works but also strengthens their personal connection to the university. Over the long term, the Welcome Days have shown clear benefits for getting students off to a strong start. Those who begin their studies well prepared tend to be more motivated, more active when it comes to exams, and generally more successful in their academic journey. The Welcome Days offer more than just a first introduction – they have a lasting impact by helping to prevent dropouts early on. Continuous development is hereby very important: The growing number of international students has made it necessary to adapt the programme over time. Evaluations and internal feedback loops form the basis for these improvements. It is clear that a well-designed, internationally focused welcome programme is a key factor in supporting the integration and long-term academic success of international students.

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