Winter welcome programme

Are you joining us in January 2022? We can’t wait to welcome you to Bristol! Get to know the city and meet other students from all over the world, at our friendly welcome events.

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This coming January, the Global Lounge is running a winter 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), as well as new, arriving students – however spaces are limited, so please make sure you book your place to avoid disappointment.

Full programme (click on events listed below to take you to more info)

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 hotspots 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!

Webinars run Monday to Friday (17 to 21 January), from 11 am to 11:45 am.

• Student life – Monday 17 January
• Explore the city of Bristol – Tuesday 18 January
• Eat and shop in Bristol – Wednesday 19 January
• Living in the UK – Thursday 20 January
• Travel in Bristol and beyond – Friday 21 January

‘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 team is here to help! Come and visit us in person in our brand-new Global Lounge space, enjoy a hot drink, and we’ll do our best to help you find the information you need. In the Lounge we offer practical support; we can help you with opening a bank account, provide you with a free sim card for your phone, explain how transportation in Bristol works, and direct you to resources that can help you with finding private accommodation or any other information you need.

Our ‘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.

• Monday – 17 January and 24 January
• Tuesday – 18 January and 25 January
• Wednesday – 19 January and 26 January
• Thursday – 20 January and 27 January
• Friday – 21 January and 28 January

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 being in the ‘room’ with other students (in person!) and get to know them at your own pace.

Make friends from around the world runs most days Monday to Friday (17 to 28 January), from 11 am to 12 pm. Join us in the Global Lounge on these dates:

• Monday – 17 January and 24 January
• Tuesday – 18 January and 25 January
• Wednesday – 19 January and 26 January
• Thursday – 27 January
• Friday – 21 January and 28 January

Guided campus tour

There is no better way to see the campus then being taken around by current students and learning about their favourite spots! Not only will our Global Lounge Ambassadors give you a tour of the University area and buildings, but they’ll share with you their own personal insights and preferred places to eat, relax and study! They’ll also answer any questions you might have along the way.

Guided campus tours run every Monday to Friday from 17 to 28 January, 12 pm to 1 pm. Join us in the Global Lounge on these dates:

• Monday – 17 January and 24 January
• Tuesday – 18 January and 25 January
• Wednesday – 19 January and 26 January
• Thursday – 20 January and 27 January
•  Friday – 21 January and 28 January

Treasure hunt: Brunel and Clifton Village / Whiteladies Road and the Downs / Street art and Stokes Croft

Not only are we offering campus and city tours throughout the welcome period, but this year the Global Lounge has created a custom-designed treasure hunt around Bristol – just for you! Make new friends and familiarise yourself with the city – exploring Brunel and Clifton Village and White Ladies Road and the Downs – through this fun and exciting activity. As well as getting to explore Bristol with new friends, there are also two fantastic prizes to be won!

Join the hunt on 17, 18 and 19 January, 2:30 pm to 4 pm. Join us in the Global Lounge on these dates:

• Treasure hunt: Brunel and Clifton Village – Monday 17 January
• Treasure hunt: Whiteladies Road the Downs – Tuesday 18 January 
• Treasure hunt: Street art and Stokes Croft – Wednesday 19 January

Guided city tours: Clifton and the Suspension Bridge / Brandon Hill and the Harbourside / Bristol’s Old City and street art

Join the Global Lounge and friendly guide, Luke, for a tour of some of the different areas of Bristol. Discover Clifton Village and its most iconic landmark – Bristol Suspension Bridge, enjoy the views from the top of Brandon Hill and see Bristol’s popular hangout spot – the Harbourside, and explore the city’s famous street art and indie district on a tour of the old city.

In person campus tours run between 17 and 28 January, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Join us outside the entrance of Wills Memorial Building on these dates:

• City tour: Bristol’s Old City and street art – 20 January and 25 January
• City tour: Clifton and the Suspension Bridge – 21 January and 26 January
• City tour: Brandon Hill and the Harbourside – 24 January and 28 January

Breakfast in the Global Lounge

Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day – with this in mind the team would like to invite you to join them, and fellow Bristol students, to the Global Lounge for a free breakfast! Chat with other new students from different countries whilst enjoying some free refreshments, and make plans to join up together again at different welcome week events!

Join us in the Global Lounge between 9:30 am and 11:30 am on this date:

• Thursday 20 January

Afternoon tea with the Global Lounge

If you’re interested in anything traditional or quintessentially British (or just enjoy eating delicious free food) then our afternoon tea event is perfect for you!! Join the Global Lounge team and student ambassadors for an unmissable feast of traditional afternoon tea – with fresh scones, jam and cream – while we discuss British etiquette surrounding this traditional pastime!

Join us for tea between 3 pm and 5 pm on this date:

• Thursday 27 January