At the Welcome Session in the Aula Magna at the Campus Bozen-Bolzano, 186 new students were warmly welcomed. This continues a clear trend: the number of incoming students has been steadily rising, underscoring the university’s reputation as an open and internationally oriented university.

The diversity of the student body is remarkable. Many come from European countries such as Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Norway, Hungary, and Finland, while others have traveled from far beyond Europe, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ghana, Israel, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United States. This mix promises exciting exchanges across languages, cultures, and lifestyles.

The pathways students take to Bolzano are just as diverse: 84% have arrived at unibz through Erasmus+program, 9% via bilateral agreements, and 7% have chosen to study here as Free Movers, enriching the campuses with their independent academic pursuits. These opportunities are made possible by around 190 Erasmus+ agreements, over 30 agreements with non-European and Italian universities as well as six agreements under the Swiss European Mobility Programme. These collaborations create a continuous exchange of students to and from unibz, fostering a genuinely global learning environment.

Prof. Marco Baratieri, Vice-Rector for Studies, warmly welcomed the students:
"By choosing to come to Bolzano, you have shown courage by leaving your comfort zone and embracing a new culture and two or three languages. This is what studying in Europe is all about: diversity, exchange, and friendships across borders. I see your enthusiasm, and I am confident that you will fully enjoy our university, this city, and this region."

The Welcome Session, organised by the International Relations Office in cooperation with the Language Centre, offered both practical information about studying at unibz and opportunities for socializing. Initial meet-and-greet chats revealed that these 186 students are not only beginning a new chapter in their lives – they’re also adding vibrancy to university life throughout all unibz campuses.