umThe summer term 2017/2018 has finally come and so have foreign students. We have prepared many different activities for them. Our first activities were organized during Welcome Week. It was a great opportunity for Erasmus students to find out about Banská Bystrica, the city where they came to study, about Slovakia and about their studies and accommodation in dormitories. But what is more important, they were able to create new friendships and become acquainted with each other so they can enjoy their stay here in Slovakia.

The Welcome Week started on Monday by Welcome Day, which took place in Aula Beliana at the Faculty of Arts. We presented information about our town and about our country. We introduced ESN, especially the ESN UMB BB section, its functioning and the activities prepared for students not only during the Welcome Week but also during the whole summer term. Students were able to buy Welcome Packs with many interesting things such as Slovak SIM cards, ESN cards, tickets to Welcome Party or the tickets to the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising. Later that day, City Game took place. Students had to find some important points in the city centre using only the map. They could see the most important places in the centre, such as the Clock Tower, the State Scientific Library and the opera. Two buddies were waiting for them at each place. The party after the City Games was held in the Forest pub.

On Tuesday the Welcome Party took place in Njoy club and everybody was looking forward to meet new friends. At the entrance every boy received a key and every girl a padlock. The aim of this game was to encourage the new students to get to know each other. The party was really great, we had so much fun!

We spent Wednesday and Thursday doing some sports activities. We wanted clear heads after our Tuesday party. On Wednesday we played bowling and on Thursday we organised Erasmus Games where we played football and volleyball. We did something to stay healthy and what is more, we have many great memories.

Friday was a day for all animal lovers, we had an activity called Dog Walk under Social Erasmus. We went to the dog shelter in Zvolen to take the dogs without home out for a walk. We did something pleasant and beneficial at the same time and we made the dogs happy at least for a while.

Finally, on Sunday we visited the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising in Banská Bystrica, where the members of our ESN section interpreted the commentary into English.

We hope Erasmus students enjoyed the Welcome Week; made friends and gained the information needed. We are already looking forward to the other activities during the whole summer term.

ESN UMB BB team