Joyful Fresher’s Week welcomed the University’s new students

Fresher’s Week is a ten-day introduction that is arranged every year by Halmstad Student Union. During the week, new students get to know each other and get to know campus and Halmstad in an easy way.

Traditional opening ceremony at the amphitheatre

Fresher’s Week began, as every year, with an inauguration at the amphitheatre in Linehedsparken. The participants defied the rain for a few festive hours with, among other things, inspiring speeches, dance and music, and presentations of Student Union bodies and student associations.

One of the speakers was Halmstad Student Union’s president Felicia Jakobsson. She highlighted how the Fresher’s Week is a preparation for, and a start of, a new chapter in the lives of the new students.

“It may feel strange that you are now around people in overalls and in a new city, but I promise you that everything will work out. We usually say that Halmstad Student Union is the student’s best friend, and it is through, for example, the introduction that we work to ensure that your study time is as good as possible. Welcome to Halmstad University, to Halmstad Student Union and to Fresher’s Week 2024”, said Felicia Jakobsson, receiving cheers in response.

Games, competitions and important networking

After the inauguration, days packed with activities followed. On the agenda was everything from brännboll in Linehedsparken to a soap box car race in Slottsparken. The introduction focuses on the participants having fun, but also fulfils an important function by helping newcomer students to find their place in their new hometown.

“I think this is very important. It’s a way to create contacts, which makes it easier when the studies start”, said Isak Östlin, who is a new student at the programme Biomedicine – Exercise Physiology.

Julia Nilsson Jernqvist, who will be studying Environment, Innovation and Sustainability, was also happy with the introduction:

“It’s a lot of fun. I think it’s fun with games and activities and it’s a great way to make friends.”

“A perfect way to get to know each other”

Two more of the participants in this year’s Fresher’s Week were Iva Klofutar, exchange student from Slovenia, and Philipp Vidmar, exchange student from Austria.

“At first I thought it was a bit crazy, but good crazy. This is a good way to start the year”, Iva Klofutar stated and was supported by Philipp Vidmar:

“A friend of mine was here two years ago and told me that the introduction was the best thing ever. I can now say the same. It's a perfect way to get to know each other.”

Wet race across Nissan completed Fresher’s Week

The regatta, where the students compete in crossing the river Nissan in their own boats and rafts, has over the years become a well-attended tradition, which was also the case when this year’s Fresher’s Week had its conclusion on Saturday. Picassoparken was full of new students and engaged students from earlier classes, and around Nissan’s edges, interested members of the public had gathered to watch the competition.

Some of the boats went back and forth, while others had poorer buoyancy. Finally, it was the students from the Programme in Innovation Engineering who won.

When Lukas Burle, Chair of the Student Union's Överstab who has organised the introduction, looked back on this year’s Fresher’s Week on Saturday, he was pleased.

“It’s gone very well. The weather hasn’t been on our side every day, but you have to accept it”, said Lukas Burle and concluded by praising the new students, who are called zeros, and the students who have been engaged in working with Fresher’s Week, called ovvar:

“High commitment is the key word, both from zeros and ovvar. This is my fourth introduction and there is no doubt that this has been the most excited group. Everyone has cheered each other on, been loud and cheerful.”