Welcome day and reception week for new students of spring 2025
The spring term of 2025 began with an orientation week, a welcome ceremony, and a mingling fair for around 400 new students in the occupational therapy, physiotherapy, medical, and nursing programmes.
Reception week with pub and club
The reception week started on Monday, 20 January, with information points on campus, where newcomers could ask questions to more experienced students, and a welcome pub in the evening at Medicinska Föreningens student union house in campus Solna.
The events during the orientation week also included several activities in the Amphiox Games, where a so-called "fulsittning" (an informal dinner party) organised by the reception committee (Mottagningsutskottet or MU) concluded the week.
"The VT25 reception has been the largest spring orientation we have had so far," says Alessia Compagno Strandberg, chair of the MU.
"We are so happy and grateful for everyone's engagement and look forward to meeting all the new students again at the Amphiox Gasque on 8 February!"
Polished student-led welcome ceremony
The reception week ended traditionally with a welcome day and ceremony in Aula Medica on Friday. The event took place in the grand Erling Persson Hall and was smoothly conducted by the hosts Deni and Gottfrid, both students at KI. Together with the student panel, consisting of dental student Alexander, psychology student Jasmina, and nursing student Nicole, they talked about everything from leisure time to study time.
"We want to give a genuine insight into what it can be like to study at university, with both the good and the bad," says Nicole.
When asked what message they want to convey to the new students, the answer is clear.
"Take it one step at a time. It's a lot at first, but it will soon settle down, and before long you will forget about this initial period and just see studying as your everyday life," says Jasmina.
Exciting guest speakers were also invited. In addition to welcome speeches by KI president Annika Östman Wernerson, vice president for education Ewa Ehrenborg, and the new chair Medicinska Föreningen Patrik Blomberg, Rasmus Nylander from KI Health Hub inspired a life of movement.
Mingling and fika at the welcome day fair
After the welcome ceremony, the fair began. The most popular element at the fair were perhaps the KI backpacks, closely followed by the cinnamon buns that were handed out. Representatives from several of KI's departments were present, including KI's podcast Medicinvetarna, international coordinators for studies and traineeships abroad, and KI Alumni.
"Having the opportunity to spend some time with the new students is a privilege. Their enthusiasm and energy can sustain you for several weeks afterwards," says Andreas Andersson, who, together with Cecilia Odlind, hosts Medicinvetarna.