Pumpkins are filling the farmers' market, and chocolate Santa Clauses make a sudden appearance in supermarkets – autumn is undoubtedly in full swing. The month of October graced Olomouc with a cold drizzle, shorter days, and a generous splash of events. Each week brought a new form of gathering with our international students. It was an immense joy for the members of the Welcome Office to see familiar faces reoccurring from the International Hana festival to Boardgames Night.
The Faculty of Arts presents
Who doesn’t have a podcast these days? Even our beloved Dean now has one! If you want to practice your Czech and hear a new perspective on trends you hear all over the internet, then join the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and his guests on the podcast Filda to discuss local and international events.
Welcome Office events that have been and those to follow
We kicked off this month with the International Hana, welcoming dances, games, and cuisine from countries all around the world. Although the weather was not very agreeable, the festival still turned out to be very lively. From our international students to local families – everyone found an activity to engage in. My personal favourites were the French crepes with a generous amount of vanilla and the American game cornhole. The day flew by without our noticing, and here we were in a student's room celebrating a successful event. Not a day after this outdoor festivity, the entire team of the Welcome Office was down with a cold but very happy about it. A week later, we were overjoyed to meet our international students again at Boardgames Night. In contrast to the festival, the event was very relaxing, and we spent a cosy evening around games and conversation.
Film Tour
In the past few weeks, Olomouc welcomed not one but two film festivals, one of which our ambassadors managed to visit. In the first days of November, Das Filmfest introduced several movies by German and Austrian filmmakers. As an avid filmgoer, I was very happy to see Olomouc among the cities the festival would visit. Together we made it to the screening of Dying (2024) by Matthias Glasner. Earlier this year, the film won an award for the best screenplay at the Berlinale. The picture made a strong impression on every viewer, and the discussion continued long after the end credits rolled. Film festival culture in Olomouc is rich and diverse, with events all year round! So do pay attention to the event calendar and join us for the next screening!
November is already here, full of promises and anticipation of the winter midterms. But it’s not time to brood! While everyone is working hard on their essays and projects, the Welcome Office gathers all the exciting events to make sure our international students can always find something to their taste and interest. Stay tuned for more!
The Ambassador Program of the Welcome Office is an initiative that enables international students at Palacký University Olomouc to engage across all faculties, offering peer support in academic matters, university integration, and cultural exchange. Ambassadors assist fellow students in navigating their studies, adapting to university and city life, and fostering a vibrant multicultural environment. They actively participate in cultural days and events, share best practices, collaborate on projects, and share their academic and personal experiences. Ambassadors also organize social events and facilitate effective communication between students, faculties, and the rectorate of Palacký University. If you are interested in seizing the opportunity to become our next ambassador, you can register here.