# Welcome at Ghent University for international students
**Source**: https://www.ugent.be/en/administration/welcome
**Parent**: https://www.ugent.be/en/administration/welcome/faq.htm
Team International Support gives international students a warm welcome and helps them before, during and after their arrival at Ghent University.
International students can visit us in the [Student Centre](https://www.ugent.be/student/en/studentcentre "UGent Student Centre") and contact us [by mail or phone](https://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/mission/internationalisation/iro/irostudentsupport.htm "TIS").
## Welcoming students at the start of Ghent University’s semester
We organize welcome sessions for new international degree and exchange students at the start of every semester. This is scheduled on the Thursday before the official start of the semester. You will receive an invitation to the Welcome day in your mailbox.\
For 2026-2027 we welcome the students on Thursday September 17th 2026 and on Thursday February 4th 2027. More information in our [International Student Guide](https://international-support-team-gent-university.notion.site/International-Student-Guide-051c28be139541a2bb192a88bbe3edeb "International Student Guide UGent").
Check our [International Student Guide](https://international-support-team-gent-university.notion.site/International-Student-Guide-051c28be139541a2bb192a88bbe3edeb "International Student Guide UGent") for dates of events, more practical information and tips to start your exchange or study at Ghent University.
## Practical information for your semester start
### General practical information for incoming students at Ghent University
- Read the [International Student Guide](https://www.notion.so/international-support-team-gent-university/Welcome-Guide-051c28be139541a2bb192a88bbe3edeb "UGent International Student Guide")
- [Checklist for incoming students](https://www.notion.so/international-support-team-gent-university/Accepted-what-s-next-f5229843028042fb9ca8d88d45385472?source=copy_link) at Ghent University
### Travelling to Belgium:
- [Immigration office](https://dofi.ibz.be/en)
- [Foreign Affairs Belgium](https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en)
Looking forward to meeting you in Ghent!
Team International Support \
Benedicte, Joke, Laïla, Maaike, Sofie & Thomas\
[internationalsupport@ugent.be](mailto:international@ugent.be)