Week of Welcome at MU

Last week, the MU community welcomed its newest class of international students atop Kahlenberg during its annual fall Orientation Week.

Over the course of one week, approximately 150 students hailing from over 60 countries got to know MU, the city of Vienna, and each other through a series of interactive lectures, workshops, and events designed to bring students, staff, and faculty together while familiarizing students with their new learning environment.

In addition to formal sessions on MU values and academic excellence delivered by MU staff and faculty, this year’s Orientation Week focused on the importance of intercultural communication.

In a new workshop designed to meet the needs of an international student body, students engaged in role playing and group work to identify and analyze appropriate communication techniques within a multicultural context.

In a parallel session, students applied their cultural understanding to the current political situation in Europe and offered messages of welcome, hope, and inspiration to their fellow students and citizens of the world in the tradition of MU’s own key humanist values.

During this year’s Orientation Week, students were also introduced to the Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH), a nationwide student government organization that has only recently been operationalized at private universities. Elected in July 2015, MU’s ÖH representatives are dedicated students who act as an important channel of communication for their colleagues and peers.

At a breakfast organized by the ÖH, students had the opportunity to learn about ÖH Modul from their president, Dominic Runge. Students were also able to mix and mingle at MU's semester kick-off party, hosted this year by the ÖH at Platzhirsch in Vienna’s first district.

Though Orientation Week may be over, we continue to welcome our new and current students as they settle into the new academic year. Welcome to MU - MU welcomes you!