Among the welcoming speeches, information and guidance the perhaps best advice of the day came from Mr Gustavo Perrusquia, Chalmers coordinator for internationalization: - Do me a favour - study very hard and have fun!
Welcome Week is going on all week at Chalmers, and on Wednesday it was time for the big Welcome Day. All new international Master's and exchange students gathered at the Concert Hall where they got to meet Chalmers President Karin Markides, the president of the student union, Mr Daniel Langkilde, and many more.
Warm speech from the PresidentThe president of Chalmers held a warm speech in which she told the new students about a recent survey in which Chalmers is the university that the Swedish people give the highest trust:
- It makes me proud - we must have done something right for sure! But it also gives us something to live up to - and we need your help to do that, Karin Markides said.
She also told the students about Chalmers strong connections with society and industry, as well as between disciplines and departments inside Chalmers:
- This is rather unique for us. This open environment will help your career and also make Chalmers more attractive. We have something to build upon. Take the opportunity to be a part of this strong network!
"Chalmerist is maybe the most important Swedish word"Karin Markides also said a few words about being a chalmerist and taking part in the alumni network:
- Chalmerist is maybe the most important Swedish word! We have a strong alumni spirit and you will be a chalmerist for the rest of your life. Openness and forward thinking are important ingredients in making creativity come to life, she said.
- I wish you a really good time here! This is the best choice you ever could make, Karin Markides concluded.
Daniel Langkilde, president of the student union, invited everyone to the student union building:
- There you will find anything from a pub and a swimming pool to a restaurant - all operated by students, he said.
- But my most important advice, from a student to another is: Take care of your friends! Doing stuff together is more important than learning formulas in the long term, said Mr Langkilde.
Chalmers - in charge of the weatherThe first hearty burst of laughter in the crowded Stenhammarsalen came when compere Gustavo Perrusquia greeted the audience by commenting on the weather:
- We had to use our very best technology to get the weather to be better than yesterday, he said with a smile.
High expectations, really high, one can assume, having heard that Chalmers University of Technology can even regulate the weather.
- We claim to have both excellence and quality- don't believe us! Be your own judge! Come to us if you're not satisfied, he said.
Mr Perrusquia knows how it feels to come from another country:
- I came to Sweden from Mexico 28 years ago and was kidnapped by the Chalmers spirit. I have never left, he told the audience and put on his nice sombrero hat.
- Whenever I feel homesick or depressed you will see me on campus in my sombrero!
He then showed them a piece of chili pepper from his pocket:
- This is pure vitamine and energy! It will wake you up at any lecture!
Arpan from CIRC on stage one year after his own arrivalNicola Crovato and Arpan Bandhu represented the international reception committee, CIRC, at Chalmers. One year ago Mr Bandhu himself sat in the position as a newly arrived student, and was interviewed on the Welcome Day.
- I felt very welcome and I want to give back by engaging myself in the reception this year. I don't see it as a job, it is too fun to be! Arpan said this Wednesday.
The photo to the right is one year old - Arpan, to the right, poses together with Isabelle De Nil and Freddy Rietdÿk.
On Welcome Day 2012 Arpan stood on stage in the Concert Hall with his CIRC compadre, Mr Nicola Crovato:
- We are like your brothers and sisters, Nicola said.
- When my friends went home for Christmas they told me they felt homesick and missed Chalmers, Arpan said.
He also informed the new students about the so called phadder system:
- Phadders are current students who have volunteered to help new students.
The very same evening CIRC arranged a phadder evening in the student union building:
- There will be fika as well! If you don't know what Swedish fika is, you will find out Arpan said in his invitation.
The importance of having fikaThe importance of having fika was something Gustavo Perrusquia underlined as well:
- Swedes love coffee! In Mexico I used chili pepper, in Sweden I have both chili pepper and coffee, so there's no problems to stay awake. I never sleep! he joked.
CIRC organizes the five week long reception period for all new international students. Five weeks filled with tours of Gothenburg and Chalmers, dinners, pubs, karaoke evenings, a special alumni dinner and much more.
Information connected with the studiesJenny Borgqvist and Anders Fredén gave useful information on rules and guidelines connected with the studies and the living in Sweden. Among other things they recommended everyone to attend the upcoming introduction seminars which will be arranged in September. These seminars will include one part about intercultural communication:
- It's about how different cultural backgrounds can affect our ways to interact with each other, Anders Fredén said.
- Don't forget to explore the student portal on the web. We always put news there and other useful information related to your studies, Jenny Borgqvist said.
Jenny and Anders also told the new students a bit about scholarship opportunities from Chalmers. Questions about such possibilities can be e-mailed to
stipendier.aos@chalmers.se.
Big kick off event on September 13Sofia Lindberg from the trade and industry group Göteborg & Co informed the audience about the official welcome programme the group has been offering the last seven years.
- You are very important ambassadors for Gothenburg, she said and invited everyone to the big kick off event at Trädgårdsföreningen on September 13.
- We have 2 500 free tickets for you! 1 000 students have already registered, so don't miss it, Sofia Lindberg said.
Text: Michael Nystås
Photo: Jan-Olof Yxell and Torgil Störner (photo from welcome day 2011)
Learn more about the Welcome Week >>>www.chalmers.se/en/education/student-life-at-chalmers/Pages/Welcome-week.aspxLearn all about CIRC here >>>www.circ.chalmers.se