One week before the academic year officially starts, the Freshers’ Week takes place, where more than 1,500 new students of the Assessment Year meet for the first time on campus of the University of St.Gallen (HSG). The Freshers’ Week is the introductory week of the university and an integral part of the Assessment Year. The overall objective of the Freshers’ Week is to prepare the new students for student life and their new role at the university, both regarding content and organisation. The Freshers’ Week 2019 is supported by presenting partner Helvetia Insurance.
Each Freshers’ Week is dedicated to a specific topic presented in the form of a case study that the students work on during the week.
If you are interested in working as a tutor, a member of the documentation team or of the support crew during the Freshers' Week, please find further information about the application process on Studentweb.
The case study
During the week, the new students will be working on the interdisciplinary, challenging and complex topic of "Digitalisation – Switzerland in a time of change". The new students experience the Freshers' Week in 60 case study groups, each of which is accompanied by two tutors. The work on the case study is supplemented by keynote presentations.
Induction sessions and a new setting
Besides the case study, students will be introduced to the course structure and administrative processes of the university, the IT infrastructure and the library. In addition, there is the opportunity of meeting and establishing first contacts with fellow students that may well last for a long time. Presentations and the opportunity to network with our guest speakers, the Freshers' Week Café, as well as the coverage by the documentation team in media such as print, radio, TV and digital, ensure daily highlights and round out the week.
The big Closing Event
Highlight of the Freshers' Week is the Closing Event on Friday morning, which takes place in the Olma Exhibition Hall in St.Gallen and where all the new students, numerous guests and university staff will be present.