International students received a warm welcome
HR welcomed 192 exchange students and 59 international degree seeking students in mid-August.
This year‘s orientation period stretched over a longer period of time than usual. The International Office offered an online mandatory pre-orientation course through Canvas, videos, presentations and quizzes. Students could complete this at their own pace before arrival to Iceland. Students were also offered pre-arrival live sessions.
Guided by RU mentors
The more conventional orientation took place on Wednesday 12 August at Reykjavík University. Around 200 students attended and were very happy to be able to come on campus. Due to Covid restrictions the students were divided into 11 groups, each group lead by two RU mentors.
The RU mentors did a great job in making sure to make the process as smooth as possible. They welcomed the students groups, led them on tours of the building made sure presentations in each classroom were on time and working perfectly. Mentors are Icelandic students at RU who's role it is to ensure the inclusion of new students from different countries and cultures.
August has been warm in Iceland and so students had the perfect opportunity to enjoy lunch outside.
The group in numbers
The 192 exchange students this autumn come from 26 countries. The largest groups come from Europe:
- Germany: 46
- France: 39
- Spain: 19
- Sweden: 12
- Denmark: 10
- Holland: 10
- Italy: 10
- Norway: 9
There is a fairly even division between undergraduate and graduate studies: 98 students enrolled in BSc studies and 94 in MSc studies. Most of them are in these three departments:
- Business Department: 88
- Faculty of Engineering: 59
- Faculty of Computer Science: 27
These departments all have in common that their MSc programmes are offered in English which explains these numbers. All academic departments offer several courses at BA and BSc level in English each year available for exchange students to apply for.
American students seek a specialisation in sustainable energy
In addition to the exchange students, 59 international students began their full-time studies at RU. They come from 26 countries, but the vast majority of them, or 41 in number, are enrolled in Iceland School of Energy within RU's engineering department. Students from the United States are in the absolute majority, followed by Canada with four students.
Getting a fresh view of Reykjavik University from the Sky Lagoon, located across the bay.
It is Reykjavik University's International Office that organises the warm welcome of international students to the University.
