Olympic-style games, the HÍ/HR Day, the Student Council football tournament, and presentations on services, support, and exchange opportunities offered by the University of Iceland are just some of the events taking place during the annual Orientation Week, held from 1–5 September. New and returning students are warmly encouraged to take part in the programme.
Orientation Week aims to introduce new university students to the vibrant and diverse community at the University of Iceland, while also helping them to form new friendships. Orientation Week has been a tradition for many years, and this year it coincides with the annual student festival, Oktoberfest.
The Student Council kicks things off early on Friday, 29 August, with the annual football tournament for new students on the lawn in front of the main building at 1 pm. All students can participate with their student association, and each team must consist of 7 players, including at least one new student. Matches will be played in two 7-minute halves, and there are great prizes for the winners and the team with the most fun and original outfits.
Orientation Week officially begins on Monday, 1 September, with an introduction to the University’s key services from 11:30–13:00 at University Square (Háskólatorg). Students will have the opportunity to chat with staff from the Student Counselling Centre, the International Division, Student Registration, the Language Centre, the Writing Centre, the National Library, and Smáuglan – the University’s app. Representatives will also be present from the Student Council, sustainability and environmental affairs, the University Choir, University Dance, the Queer Student Association, and the Icelandic Student Services, which runs the Student Bookstore, Student Preschools, Student Housing, the Student Cellar, and more.
The University Choir will perform at lunchtime, and the Student Council will also offer a guided campus tour for new students at 12:30, departing from the Orientation Week information desk at University Centre (Háskólatorg). The desk will be open all week from 10:00–14:00, where new and returning students can get answers to questions about studies, buildings and room layouts, student life, services, and more.
Music, dancing, competitions, and social meetups throughout the week
On Tuesday, 2 September, the University will celebrate Green Orientation Day, when students and representatives from the University will receive the Green Flag from the Icelandic Environment Association at the University Centre at lunchtime.
On Wednesday, 3 September at 12:00, University Dance will showcase its activities at the University Centre. That evening, the Student Council will host a dating event with student associations at the University of Iceland. The event begins at 20:00 in the Student Cellar.
On Thursday, 4 September, representatives from the University of Iceland and Reykjavík University will come together for a series of lively and varied competitions as part of the annual HÍ/HR Day, where the University of Iceland will aim to retain its title from last year. The event takes place on the parking lot in front of the Oktoberfest area in Vatnsmýri and begins at 15:00. Earlier in the day, at 12:00, the Student Bookstore and the Student Council will host a concert where Gugusar will perform in the Bookstore to warm up for Oktoberfest.
Orientation Week peaks on Friday, 5 September, with the Orientation Week Olympics. Representatives from all student associations at the University of Iceland will compete, and as always, the supporters play a key role! The games will be held in the Oktoberfest area and begin at 15:00. There will also be live music at lunchtime at the University Centre.
Throughout the week, the Student Counselling Centre will present its wide range of services for students, including academic and career counselling, special support for studies and exams, psychological services, study techniques, and the UI Careers Connections.
Orientation Week also features the ever-popular annual quiz for new students (in Icelandic), which will be available on Ugla during Orientation Week, and lucky contestants can win great prizes. ([link]).
We encourage students to follow the University’s Instagram account during Orientation Week as it will be devoted to the social life, services and support available.
More information about Orientation Week can be found on the event website