Welcome to Bristol! Get to know the city and meet other students from all over the world at our friendly welcome events.
This September the Global Lounge is running a welcome programme full of fun and social activities – led by the Global Lounge team and student ambassadors – guaranteed to get you excited about student life, and connected with the city and University community! During our jam-packed and exciting welcome period, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Bristol with other students, get involved in fun activities that will help you to make friends and get practical support with settling in – while enjoying some delicious free food along the way!
We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you to our exciting, vibrant and multicultural city.
All events listed are open to all current students at the University (home and international), however spaces are limited, so please make sure you book your place as soon as booking information becomes available.
Full programme
Student life webinars
During these fun and informal online sessions, current students will share their personal experiences of what it’s like to live and study in Bristol; offering you tips and insights into everything from study spaces, student discounts and getting around the city, to shopping hot spots and the best places to eat! Webinars will also cover cultural aspects of living in the UK, and some of the great British quirks you may experience during your time here.
Live webinars will run in the first week of Welcome from 11 am to 11:45 am. Click on the dates below to find out more and book your place.
If you are unable to attend the live webinars, you can watch the recordings on our website, or view them on Youku.
- Student life – Monday 5 September
- Explore the city of Bristol – Tuesday 6 September
- Eat and shop in Bristol – Wednesday 7 September
- Living in the UK – Thursday 8 September
- Travel in Bristol and beyond – Friday 9 September
Intercultural virtual workshops
Equip yourself for a global future with Kynfolk’s interactive workshops, hosted by the Student Inclusion team, learn about British culture and how to adjust to a new living environment through topical themes. You’ll learn more about other people’s, and even your own, culture, through discussions and comparison. Though these workshops are geared towards an international audience, students from the UK will have the opportunity to explore their own intercultural skills during sessions.
Workshops run from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Click on the dates below to find out more and book your place.
- An introduction to British culture – Tuesday 6 September
- British culture: thriving when you’re new to the UK – Thursday 8 September
Language café taster session
Get an idea of how the Language Café runs at this friendly, informal taster session, and see if you’d like to return to our weekly sessions as a volunteer or casual learner. Get a flavour of the Language Café from some last year’s brilliant volunteers, meet like-minded people from the University community and enjoy free tea, coffee and snacks. We’ll also have lots of helpful information if you’re interested in volunteering at a future session.
The Language café taster session runs from 2 pm to 3:30 pm.
- Language café taster session – Monday 19 September
‘Ask me anything’ drop in
Coming to a new country, or even a new city, can be a daunting experience, but don’t worry, the Global Lounge is here to help! Visit us in our light and airy space, enjoy a hot drink, and we’ll do our best to help you find the information you need. We offer practical support; we can help you open a bank account, provide you with a free sim card for your phone, or find any other information you need.
‘Ask me anything’ drop ins will be running every Monday to Friday, from 11 am to 2 pm. No booking necessary, just come in and visit us any time between these hours.
- Mondays: 5 September, 12 September and 19 September
- Tuesdays: 6 September, 13 September and 20 September
- Wednesdays: 7 September, 14 September and 21 September
- Thursdays: 8 September, 15 September and 22 September
- Fridays: 9 September, 16 September and 23 September
Make friends from around the world
This session does exactly what it says on the tin; come to the Global Lounge and make friends from all over the world! This event will help you to get settled in your new home by giving you the opportunity to meet other students through an array of fun activities, including charades, quizzes, crafts and board games. Please note that there is no obligation to join in with any of these activities, you can simply enjoy the Lounge and get to know other students at your own pace.
Make friends from around the world runs Monday to Friday (5 to 23 September) from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Click on the dates below to find out more and book your place.
- Mondays: 5 September, 12 September and 19 September
- Tuesdays: 6 September, 13 September and 20 September
- Wednesdays: 7 September, 14 September and 21 September
- Thursdays: 8 September, 15 September and 22 September
- Fridays: 9 September, 16 September and 23 September
Campus tours
What better way to explore the University’s fantastic city campus, than being taken around by a current student and learning about their favourite spots? Not only will our brilliant Global Lounge Ambassadors give you a tour of the University area and buildings, they will also share with you their own personal insights and top tips on places to eat, relax and study. You’ll also have the chance to ask them any questions you may have along the way.
Campus tours run Monday to Friday (5 to 23 September) from 1 pm to 2 pm. Click on the dates below to find out more and book your place.
- Mondays: 5 September, 12 September and 19 September
- Tuesdays: 6 September, 13 September and 20 September
- Wednesdays: 7 September, 14 September and 21 September
- Thursdays: 8 September, 15 September and 22 September
- Fridays: 9 September, 16 September and 23 September
City tours
Join the Global Lounge and our friendly guide, Luke, for a tour of some of the most historic and bustling areas in Bristol. You will have the opportunity to discover Clifton Village and its most iconic landmark, the magnificent Suspension Bridge, enjoy the stunning views from the top of Brandon Hill, walk through Bristol’s popular hangout spot the Harbourside, or explore the city’s famous street art and indie district on a tour of the old city.
City tours run between 12 and 22 September, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Click on the dates below to find out more and book your place.
- City tour: Brandon Hill and the Harbourside – Monday 12 September and Tuesday 20 September
- City tour: Bristol’s old city and street art – Tuesday 13 September and Wednesday 21 September
- City tour: Clifton and the Suspension Bridge – Thursday 15 September and Thursday 22 September
Breakfast in the Global Lounge
Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day – with this in mind we would like to invite you to join us, and your fellow Bristol students, in the Global Lounge for a delicious free breakfast. As well as tucking into some tasty breakfast treats and free tea and coffee, you will also have the opportunity to chat with other new students from all over the globe, and make plans to join up together again at different welcome week events!
Join us for breakfast on the 13, 15, 20 and 22 September, from 9:30 am to 11 am. Click on the dates below to find out more and book your place.
- Tuesdays: 13 September and 20 September
- Thursdays: 15 September and 22 September
Treasure hunt
Not only are we offering campus and city tours during the welcome period, the Global Lounge has also created a treasure hunt around Bristol, custom-designed just for you! Make new friends and discover the best neighbourhoods of this vibrant city – you can explore Clifton Village and learn about Brunel, or hunt for treasure in Whiteladies Road and the Downs. While you enjoy this fun, interactive activity with new friends, you will also have the chance to win some great prizes!
Treasure hunts run from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Click on the dates below to find out more and book your place.
- Treasure hunt: Clifton Village and Brunel – Friday 9 September
- Treasure hunt: Whiteladies Road the Downs – Friday 16 September
Cream tea in the Global Lounge
If you’re interested in anything quintessentially British, or just enjoy eating delicious free food, don’t miss our traditional (and very tasty) cream tea. Join the Global Lounge team for an unmissable feast of fresh scones, jam and cream, plus some delicious cakes and other treats – all while we discuss some interesting (and rather silly) debates revolving around one of Britain’s most traditional pastimes!
Cream teas run from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Click on the dates below to find out more and book your place.
- Cream tea – Wednesdays: 7 September and 14 September
#WeAreBristol welcome colour run
Join the #WeAreBristol event, brought to you by Bristol Students’ Union and Sport, Exercise, and Health at the University of Bristol, for one of their most popular welcome events, the Colour Run! Inspired by the Hindu festival of Holi, during this fun run you will be covered in colourful powder paint … it’s all about clouds of colour, being active and meeting other new students in a friendly, informal setting. Everybody is welcome, you don’t have to be a runner! This event is about having fun and getting involved in the #WeAreBristol community.
The colour run is on 2 October, from 12 pm to 4 pm. Click on the date below to find out more and book your place.
- Welcome colour run – Sunday 2 October