"Arriving in a new country can be overwhelming. A balanced schedule with time for both activities and recovery creates better conditions for social interaction and well-being," says Hanna Gustafzelius, student coordinator at Lund University.
The 2026 introduction program has therefore been slightly altered to create a calmer pace than before. This year’s schedule has fewer lectures, more structured information sessions, and time for individual activities to reduce the risk of “information overload.”
"We have listened to previous students’ wishes and prioritised quality over quantity. The goal is a welcoming and sustainable start to student life in Lund," says Kristen Clarberg, international officer at Lund University.
Community through mentorship
The new international students are met at Kastrup Airport and Lund Central Station by both university staff and current Lund University students.
"The international mentors welcome the newcomers, arrange group activities, and create meeting places during the Orientation Weeks. The aim is to give new students a positive start, and opportunities to make connections and integrate into student life in Lund and Sweden," says Hannah Bickel, international mentor coordinator.
"Practically, the new students receive help finding their way to the Ingvar Kamprad Design Center (IKDC) for check-in. There, they collect the keys to their accommodations before being transported to their new homes," says Kristen Clarberg, international officer.
The international mentor program is a central part of the introduction program, Orientation Weeks. Around 200 international mentors participate, 80 of them during Arrival Day. The mentors, who act as guides, work voluntarily and are an important link between new students and student life in Lund.
Mentors can be Swedish students or other international students who have already spent one or two semesters in Lund.
"Often, those who are international students themselves say they appreciated the warm welcome to Lund University very much and want to ’give back’ to other students," says Hannah Bickel, mentor coordinator.
Read more:
Arrival Day and Orientation weeks:
The international mentor programme:
Watch a video from Arrival Day: Arrival Day, YouTube