As a fresh student, there is a lot of new information to take in at the beginning, with countless activities, tools, and many things to get familiar with. Luckily, you will receive good help along the way.
First-year students are also offered a buddy, and you will be contacted over the weekend ahead of semester start in August.
More about the buddy programme at UiA
A special welcome for international students
The semester starts a few days earlier for those who are joining us from abroad. International students are expected to arrive on Thursday 8 August and attend Orientation Day on Friday 9 August, where essential information and practical tips will be given out to newcomers. There are also several activities planned for the weekend in both towns.
Orientation programme for international students
Student Hub: Get answers to all your questions
The Student Hub is located centrally in Wilhelm Krag Hall (Vrimlehallen) on Campus Kristiansand and in Gada on Campus Grimstad, from the start of the semester.
• Monday-Friday 08:00-13:00
• From 12 to 23 August
Here, you’ll find UiA staff and student employees from the Student Welfare Organization in Agder (SiA) wearing white t-shirts, ready to answer any questions you might have.
“We look forward to engaging with the students during this period. You can get answers to anything you might be wondering about, big or small, and we’ll help you directly or refer you to someone else,” says Eli Marie Røkenes, leader of UiA Help, which serves as UiA's first line of support and guidance for students.
Discover useful student services
Next to the Student Hub, you will find stands showcasing various relevant student services. Here you can learn more about:
- Courses and guidance
- Security – the 'Speak up’ system and the student ombudsperson
- Health and counselling
- Student life – SiA Student life and UiA's Global Lounge
- Guided tours – get to know the campus and facilities
Also, check out the SiA Student life app and website, where you can find a comprehensive overview of all the student events and social activities you can get involved in, in Grimstad and Kristiansand – both around semester start and throughout the year.
All about semester start at UiA
Student safety
“Safety is the priority in everything we do,” says Gro Hodne Gundersen, project leader for semester start at UiA.
She encourages all students to make use of the resources and events available during semester start, which are designed to provide a positive introduction to student life.
The idea of the Student Hub and services stands arose through collective brainstorming sessions among students, UiA staff, SiA, and the Agder Project Student Wellbeing .
“Students are the ones who know best what they need, and we’ve received feedback that having a place where one can find everything from the get-go is crucial,” says Emil Gudelis, Student Organization of Agder (STA).
Olea Magdalena Norset, leader of the student wellbeing project, is impressed with the tangible measures that are being implemented through cooperation with various stakeholders:
“Having a student perspective is crucial here, and we’ve established great communication between students and the other stakeholders involved. That’s how we ensure student well-being, a sense of belonging, and effective information,” she says.