#StudentAUK: Integration of First-Year Students at Vilnius University

A series of integration events for first-year students begins at Vilnius University (VU). In the Grand Courtyard of VU (3 Universiteto Str.) at 10 a.m. on 31 August, the integration event for first-year students – #StudentAUK – will take place. The event will be opened with a welcome part for foreign students.

As of 1 p.m., students of all levels and programmes are invited not to miss the discussion festival “Ad Astra” organised for the second time by VU Students’ Representation and the integration fair #StudentAUK. Members of VU community will introduce festival participants to various topical issues, which will be explored during live discussions in Lithuanian and English.

Later on, visitors of the contact fair for the integration of first-year students #StudentAuk will have the opportunity to get acquainted with representatives of organisations as well as leisure and sports clubs operating in VU.

The events of 31 August will reach culmination at 7 p.m.: a festive community evening-concert is to take place, featuring performances of VU Culture Centre ensembles and the cheerful men of Baltic Balkan. In accordance with the requirements set by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, all participants of the event must have an Opportunity Passport and register online in advance.

At 9:30 a.m. on 1 September, we will start the new academic year with a traditional flag-raising ceremony in VU Library Courtyard (3 Universiteto Str.). After getting acquainted with the spaces and courses of the faculties, as well as with classmates, everyone is invited to participate in the traditional VU community march on Gedimino Avenue – from the Seimas to VU Grand Courtyard. There, heads and guests will send their greetings, first-year students will take an oath and the beginning of a new academic year will be officially declared (all march participants must be prepared to present their Opportunity Passport/European to student coordinators on a phone or in other form).

During the first month, students will be introduced to VU non-academic departments: VU Culture Centre, VU Health and Sport Centre, coordinators of equal opportunities, disability affairs, volunteer activities, VU Students Affairs and Career Office, etc. All information on integration can be found on the Student Life Guide and www.orientationweek.vu.lt online platforms.

In the first weeks of September, the Integration Space for first-year students will be open at VU Central Library and the Scholarly Communication and Information Centre. This is a place where VU Library staff will answer a wide range of first-year students’ questions about services offered. Visiting this space, new students at the University will get one-on-one consultations with specialists working here and find out where and how to find the resources needed for studies or a reading room in their department, what spaces in the Library are suitable for learning and recreation and where to go if they have questions related to information search.

Friendly specialists at the Library will also tell you about events, exhibitions, volunteering, internships or job opportunities in one of the largest and oldest academic libraries in Lithuania. After visiting the Integration Space, we guarantee you will not get lost in the Library again!

First-year students are also welcome to get acquainted with VU services virtually: they can watch special videos for first-year students published on the Video Guide. They contain essential information on VU Library, Culture Centre, Sport and Health Centre, VU Students’ Representation and VU Students Affairs and Career Office. By the same token, the videos reveal how to find psychological help at VU, where to apply if one has a disability or wants to volunteer at VU and beyond.

We encourage first-year students to participate in all parts of the integration week programme, as this is a unique opportunity to get to know VU community in no time.