Bratislava welcomes students – the first year of Student Welcome Weekend brings a programme marked by community and opportunities

Said the Mayor of Bratislava, Matúš Vallo:

“The fact that young people are leaving Slovakia to go abroad cannot be perceived only through numbers, economic effects and the brain drain. It also principally affects the quality of human relationships, which are important for a happy and functioning city. Also lost with the departure of young people is the fact that generations live together, that children can see how parents take care of their own parents – and how they should one day care of their own."

Talent as a priority

According to surveys, young people decide where they will live and study not only based on the quality of schools, but also on the opportunities to engage in the life of a city. For them it is important to have space and opportunities to form communities. They likewise need to see and feel that the city listens to them and welcomes them. Parents of students also stress that an attractive and open environment is a key factor in deciding about the future of their children.

Said Marek Števček, Rector of Comenius University in Bratislava:

“When young people decide on their future studies, they not only consider the quality of the university, but also the attractiveness of the study destination. This is why it is important for Comenius University that Bratislava be a university city in the true sense of the word, that it appeals to potential students as well as top lecturers and scientists. This event can be an important signal that the city is aware of the contribution universities make in its territory and that universities care about the broader context of studies."

Says STU Rector Maximilián Strémy:

“We want to show young people that studying in Bratislava is a very good choice. Traditional and renowned universities here offer quality education; ours also offer one hundred percent employment, and the city offers conditions for a valuable student life at the European level."

Student Welcome Weekend is a response to these expectations – and at the same time it is another step for the capital city in building Bratislava’s identity as a city for talent.

Added Martin Šmatlák, Rector of VŠMU:

"Freedom for creation occurs where students feel accepted and safe, and culture and art belong to the lives of each of us."

Programme and locations

The festival brings a two-day programme in the Old Town as well as in the university dormitories: • a discussion between students and the mayor and universities, • a meeting of the PhD community, • workshops on the vision of Bratislava 2035, • community language and queer tables, • stories of students who have already launched startups while still at school, • practical activities such as “KOLO na kolesách” – second-hand dormitory equipment directly at Mlyny and Mladá Garda.

The entire programme will be bilingual (SK/EN), so that international students can also take part.

Registration

Participation in the event is free of charge; however, registration is required via Eventbrite, where the entire programme of the Student Welcome Weekend event is also available at Eventbrite ↗︎.