The Freshers’ Welcome Week, organised by the Students’ Union of the University of Algarve (AAUAlg) with institutional support from UAlg, marked the arrival of hundreds of new students. This initiative aims to promote the integration of first-year students and to highlight local academic traditions that are integral to Portuguese university culture.
In Portugal, academic rituals (“praxes”) have a history spanning several decades. In a symbolic and controlled way, freshers are “baptised” with paints, props or creative objects by senior students, in a welcoming gesture that fosters team spirit and academic identity.
The week culminates with the traditional academic parade, during which each degree programme gathers its new students and welcomes them in a festive atmosphere. This moment symbolises the transition of freshers and strengthens their sense of belonging to the academic community.
To celebrate the arrival of new students, the Students’ Union organises an annual music programme that brings together freshers and students from other years, encouraging interaction and new friendships. Alongside concerts and cultural initiatives, the programme also features performances by UAlg’s academic tunas — traditional student music groups that add a festive and symbolic touch to the celebrations. In 2025, the Freshers’ Welcome Week took place from 12 to 19 September in Faro, with an intensive programme of integration activities, cultural initiatives and live performances.
Through this programme, the University of Algarve shows that the Freshers’ Welcome Week is not only a celebration, but also a cultural instrument of integration and local identity, in line with the values of SEA-EU, which promotes connections between European institutions, culture and international cooperation.
