Orientation Week for International Erasmus+ Students
Orientation Week for International Erasmus+ Students
From 28 September to 3 October 2026, the Jan Amos Komeński State University of Applied Sciences in Leszno hosted the Onboarding Days programme, an orientation week for international students. The event was organised for Erasmus+ students who began their winter semester of the 2026/2027 academic year at our university.
This year’s edition welcomed four international students representing Complutense University of Madrid, Northern University in Yerevan, and Atyrau Oil and Gas University named after Safi Utebayev. The students will spend one semester studying at two of the university’s academic units: the Institute of Technology and the Institute of Education.
The aim of the orientation week was not only to provide essential organisational information but, above all, to help students settle into their new academic environment, get to know the university and the city of Leszno, and create opportunities to make their first connections.
Getting to Know Leszno and Making First Contacts
The first day focused primarily on practical matters related to students’ everyday lives in Leszno. Participants received information about accommodation, residence registration, banking services and SIM cards, as well as healthcare and pharmacies. Particular attention was also given to the formalities international students need to complete during their stay in Poland, including registering their place of residence at the Population Registration Department. This helped participants feel more confident from the very beginning and better prepared them for independent living in a new place.
On Tuesday, 29 September, the students met with representatives of the International Relations and Research Department in the university’s main building. Over a cup of coffee, everyone had the opportunity to get to know one another better and discuss how the Erasmus+ programme operates at our university. The students also attended three beginner-level Polish language lessons. In addition, they received practical tips on places worth visiting in Poland, as well as shops and services available nearby. Information was also provided about useful apps, student discounts, local public transport and national transport connections.
Official Welcome at the Department of Science and International Cooperation
Wednesday, 30 September, was a particularly important day for our new students. During the Welcome Meeting organised by the Department of Science and International Cooperation, participants were officially welcomed by the Erasmus+ coordinator, representatives of the Institute of Education and the Institute of Technology, and the President of the Student Council. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the most important rules and procedures concerning studies, individual timetables, class attendance, key contacts and events organised by the Student Council.
The students also took part in a Campus Tour, during which they explored the university’s main facilities, including the audytorium Aula Comeniana, lecture rooms, library, cafeteria, Erasmus Zone and Chill-Out Zone. This was followed by a walk around the city, allowing them to discover Leszno and its most distinctive landmarks.
The day concluded with a shared culinary experience. The students had the opportunity to taste traditional Polish „pierogi” and spend time together in a more informal setting.
Trip to Wrocław
Thursday, 1 October, was dedicated to sightseeing and team-building. The students travelled by train to Wrocław, providing an excellent opportunity to discover one of the most important and fascinating cities in Lower Silesia.
The itinerary included Wrocław’s Market Square, with its Town Hall and famous dwarf statues, a short coffee break, the impressive main building of the University of Wrocław, Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island), including a climb up the cathedral tower, a walk along the Oder River, the historic Market Hall and some free time to buy souvenirs.
The trip offered another opportunity for the students to get to know one another, exchange experiences and build relationships.
Preparing for Life and Studies in Poland
The Friday meeting, held on 2 October, took place once again in the university’s main building. The focus was on everyday academic life and helping students adapt to their new surroundings.
During three further Polish language lessons, participants learned basic expressions and the fundamentals of communicating in Polish. Discussions also covered Polish cultural norms and communication styles, as well as ways of managing cultural differences. Another important part of the programme focused on stress management and coping with new situations.
The students also received information about student ID cards, university email accounts and access to MS Teams. This ensured that they had the essential tools needed to participate in classes effectively.
Time to Explore Leszno and Poznań Independently
The weekend, 3-4 October, was left free for the students. It provided an opportunity to relax, explore Leszno and Poznań independently, and put into practice the information and advice they had received during the preceding days.
The entire Onboarding Days programme was designed to guide students gradually through the different stages of settling in, from completing formalities and understanding organisational procedures to discovering the university and its surroundings, building social connections and preparing for everyday academic life.
New Semester, New Experiences
The orientation week marked an important first step in our Erasmus+ students’ stay in Leszno.
We hope that the knowledge gained during orientation week, the new experiences and the connections they have made will help our international guests make the most of their semester at the Jan Amos Komeński State University of Applied Sciences in Leszno.
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