Nearly 450 students are studying at the University as part of a mobility programme, more than before the pandemic for the first time

COVID was a turning point for university life in all respects and, above all, in student mobility. Last year, the number of URV students who went on a mobility programme to another university (617) far exceeded the 470 expected for the academic year when the pandemic broke out (2019-20) and this year the number has stabilised at 562. However, the numbers of students who come to the URV on a mobility programme had not recovered until the current year. Although the numbers are still not definitive, 449 students have arrived at the URV this 2022-23, already more than the 391 who arrived in the academic year 2019-20. 

Nevertheless, these are not the only international students studying at the URV. A total of 2,123 students from 106 different countries are enrolled on the University’s campuses this year. The majority, 45%, are doctoral students, 30% are master’s students, and 8% are studying for a bachelor’s degree. These figures are also higher than last year, when 2,052 students from 102 different nationalities studied at the URV. 

In the last few days, students have come to the URV to study for the second semester as a part of mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ or MOU. As usual, the new students were officially welcomed to the University between 15–17 February during the “Welcome Days”. 

Organized by the International Center and the Language Service, the Welcome Days give the students information about the University’s services, and a taste of Catalan culture. Next Friday, they will visit the various university campuses. 

Support from the International Center

Shiza Khaqan is one of the international students who took part in the “Welcome Days”. Hailing from Pakistan, she is studying a PhD in Humanistic Studies and she values her stay positively: “The experience at the URV is fantastic, you make friends and meet people”. She also highlights the work and support of the I-Center to facilitate all procedures. 

Sharanpreet Kaur, another student, agrees. Originally from India, she is currently pursuing a PhD in Health, Psychology and Psychiatry, and says that all the administrative procedures “have been really difficult, but the I-Center has been very helpful.“ 

The URV’s International Center advises students about accommodation, the health system, and the legal aspects of their stay, it informs them about the recreational activities available to them, and it provides them with the URV Mentors program, in which students from the University accompany newcomers during their first days in Tarragona. Likewise, students can access the Sports services, the Language Service and the job bank, and they have access to psychological care, volunteering and cultural activities.