International Students Guide to O-Week

Studying at university can be a really fantastic experience, along with learning things in your degree there are also a lot of fun things to do and enjoy. One of those things is O-Week (or O-Day, Welcome Week at some universities). O-Week stands for Orientation Week and is an event held at the beginning of the year (though some universities have something on at the start of each study session) where you can learn about what university or uni for short has to offer outside of your classes.

O-Week can be a bit overwhelming, but it’s definitely worth exploring, especially if you’re looking to connect with fellow students and make new friends.

Clubs and societies are a big part of uni life that can help you meet new people that you have things in common with, as well as find fun social events to go to. During O-Week, each club and society will have a stall where you can chat to them, figure out if it’s something you’re keen on, and sign up.

Most universities have literally hundreds of clubs and societies, so chances are you’ll be able to find something for what you’re interested in. There are even ones for different nationalities and languages if you’re feeling homesick.

If you can’t find the club or society for your interest, you can always make one. Universities love supporting students in creating new ones, just contact the student union to get started.

On top of all the club & society stalls, there are plenty of other stalls run by businesses that will be handing out free things. This doesn’t just mean free pens or tote bags either, if you interact with the stalls you’re bound to walk away with some seriously great stuff.

Getting used to the uni campus and figuring out where your classes are is one of the trickier new student experiences, which is why universities will have regular campus tour guides during O-Week that will show you around. Some unis even host scavenger hunts, so you can get familiar with your new campus while competing for prizes.

Universities are designed to help you out with student services for accommodation, the library, careers, IT, health, English language help, study abroad and student exchange programs, and academic support. During O-Week there will be plenty of information about what you can access, but they’ll also have all the details up on the uni website if you find yourself needing help later on.

The main part of O-Week is how fun it is. With games, food, giveaways and entertainment, as well as social events and parties, it’s a taster for just how much fun you can have if you get involved in uni life.

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