Around 2800 freshmen started the welcome season at the University of Minho on 9 and 10 September, distributed across the two university campuses in Gualtar (Braga) and Azurém (Guimarães). Each organic unit organized its own welcome moment, presenting the newly arrived students with the facilities, teaching and technical staff, and how the courses work. Students visited libraries, bars, sports facilities, residences, course associations and student associations, accompanied by around 600 older students who took on the role of guides. Meanwhile, a welcome day took place for the 324 international students from 34 countries, including Spain, North Macedonia, Algeria, Colombia, Brazil, Angola, India, China and Japan, who are studying at UMinho as part of mobility programs such as Erasmus+, Arqus and Almeida Garrett.
The highlight of the institutional welcome takes place on 16 September, with the welcome session led by Rector Pedro Arezes and the President of AAUMinho, Luís Guedes, at 2:00 PM in the natural amphitheater of the Gualtar campus. The day before, the Agency for State Technological Reform will be present to support students with issues such as the digital mobile key, European Health Insurance Card and access to the gov.pt application. The afternoon of leisure at the Rodovia Pools and a gathering at sunset with an associative showcase complete the program.
Between 17 and 19 September, the Recomeço Festival takes place, promoted by the UMinho Cultural Council, with around 50 activities spread across Braga and Guimarães, including picnics, open-air cinema, guided tours and exhibitions. On 21 and 22 September, the nighttime Azeituna festival takes place in Gualtar, followed by integration moments dedicated to students from PALOP and Timor-Leste (30 September, 2 and 6 October), as well as those entering through the 2nd phase of applications (5 October) and the 3rd phase (21 October).
Guimarães also hosts the traditional Freshman Reception with cultural initiatives from AAUMinho, including the Serenatas Velhas (6 October), the Latada (7 October) and concerts by well-known artists between 7 and 10 October.
