UC3M Welcomes Its New Students

During the first days of September, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has welcomed its new students with a Welcome Day and Orientation Days.

On the 2nd and 5th of September the Getafe and Leganés campuses celebrated Welcome Day, whose objective was to introduce the university to the new international students. Nearly 1,000 exchange students from the Erasmus + and Non-European Mobility programs, visiting students (Free Movers), students from the Hispanic Studies Courses, the Study Abroad Program and the Global Bachelor Dauphine program participated in the welcoming acts. And these will not be our only international students, as 400 more are expected for the second semester.

The majority of these students come from European Union countries, such as Germany, France, Holland and Italy. However, the number of students from other countries, like the United States, Brazil and Australia increases every year.

By degrees, Business Administration, Economics, Law, Humanities, Audiovisual Communication and Journalism see the greatest demand among the students from outside of Spain.

The university’s reputation, the possibility of studying in English and of improving their Spanish, along with the variety of cultural activities available are among the reasons that make international students choose UC3M. “This university offers reasonably priced courses in Spanish for Foreigners as well as the possibility of studying in English,” points out Carol Cheung, a Dutch student. In the case of Marcos Carrasco, an student from Australia, the language was also the key. “Improving my English and traveling around Europe have been possible thanks to UC3M’s agreement with my university,” he explains. Alfonso González, a Mexican student, valued “a friend’s recommendation and the university’s prestige,” in deciding to come to UC3M.

Moreover, the majority of the international students highlight the fact that their time at UC3M will help them know other cultures, enjoy new experiences and meet new people.

On Welcome Day and throughout the year, the university’s international students will have the support of Spanish students who are volunteers in the Buddy Program to help them during their stay at UC3M.

Undergraduate Student Welcome

In another activity, UC3M invited the families of new undergraduate students to get to know the campus where their children are going to study. On September 6, they were greeted by the vice-chancellors, the deans of the different schools and the director of the Engineering School; they were

also able to visit the different facilities and learn about the methodology used in the degree programs, as well as the resources and services available to the students.

These activities are very well received, particularly among the families from outside of Madrid, who are able to see the academic environment their children will find. “The campus visit was very interesting for us because we felt calmer after seeing the facilities,” explains Emilio de Hita, the father of a student from Navarra who will be pursuing a dual degree in International Studies and Economics.

This year, for the first time, nearly 40% of UC3M’s students come from other autonomous communities, attracted by the university’s excellent reputation. “We chose UC3M because our son wanted to study Economics in English, and we saw that the university is very prestigious,” declares María Antonia Gómez, mother of a student from Alicante.

Further information in:

http://www.uc3m.es/ss/Satellite/UC3MInstitucional/es/TextoDosColumnas/1371214198038/

http://www.uc3m.es/ss/Satellite/ApoyoEstudiante/es/TextoMixta/1371221220248

Photos of the activity:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eventosuc3m/sets/72157673590086595