The event, which has now become steeped in tradition, is devoted primarily to getting to know the University, chatting to fellow students and providing a wealth of advice and information. The principal venues for the program will be the main auditorium in the University Main Building and the Arkadenhof.
Doors open at 11:15 am in anticipation of the first item on the program at noon, namely the official welcome in the main auditorium by Professor Klaus Sandmann, Vice Rector for Teaching, Learning and University Development, and Sean Bonkowski, President of the General Students’ Committee (AStA). Various guests from the University community will also take to the stage. There will be simultaneous interpreting of what is being said into both English and sign language, and proceedings will also be screened in adjacent lecture halls as well as being streamed live online.
The info market in the Arkadenhof will be held from 1 pm to 3 pm featuring some central University organizations, including the AStA, the Career Service, University Sports, the International Office and numerous departmental student bodies. They will all be showcasing their activities and have a team on hand to answer any questions, while students will also be able to find out about University-run counseling and advisory services at the as well as what is available outside the University.
During the afternoon (3 pm to 5:30 pm), guides will take groups on a tour of the historic University Main Building at the same time as the departmental student bodies run various hands-on activities. The day culminates in the big first-semester students’ party in the main auditorium and the Arkadenhof, which gets started at 6 pm and lasts until 11 pm. Admission is from 5:30 pm via the Ehrenhalle; guests will need to show their student ID.
All of the day’s activities are free to attend.
See https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/university-life/events/first-semester-students-welcome/first-semester-students-welcome-2025 for more details about the program.