Students arriving in Aberdeen this September from across the world have received an extra-warm welcome from the City next week.
The University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University have joined forces to create the International Aberdeen Welcome Project, a joint initiative to help make incoming students from across the globe feel quickly at home in the Granite City, settle into their new accommodation and university life, and become quickly familiar with the culture and way of life in north-east Scotland – all of which will enhance their study experience in Aberdeen.
A welcome event entitled Experience Aberdeen Culture Fair took place on Tuesday 18 September in Cowdray Hall at Schoolhill, Aberdeen, from 4pm – 7pm. This was a unique opportunity for new international students at both universities to sample local food and drink, get to know each other, and enjoy fantastic performances ranging from traditional Scottish dancing to Scottish poetry.
The students heard a welcome speech from Councillor George Adam, Lord Provost of Aberdeen, and browsed stalls featuring local specialities from companies including J G. Ross or Mackies, with plenty of free tasters, including Irn-Bru. Representatives of both universities and their societies were on hand at the fair.
The Aberdeen Welcome Project is part of Student Welcome Scotland, a Scottish Government funded project run by the STRATOS Group. The Aberdeen project is part of creating a truly ‘National Welcome’ for international students when they arrive in Scotland.
Feedback from previous years gathered from international students suggests that those newly arrived in Aberdeen from overseas would value more information on topics including accommodation, opening a bank account, keeping safe in the City, tourist information, shopping and eating, sightseeing, renting a private flat, and the social and behavioural customs in Scotland.
The Aberdeen Welcome team is made up of four student interns, two from each of Aberdeen’s two universities. In addition to the Welcome event, the team has created a website providing incoming international students with all the information they need for their new life in the north-east.
For more information about the project and the event visit www.aberdeeninternationalwelcome.co.uk.