Autumn and the start of studies. There is something about it. Those of us who have experienced it before can recognise the smells, the light, the colours … Hopefulness and perhaps a touch of melancholy, as the short nights of summer become more and more distant?

So, here you are.

I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to LTH, a fantastic place for dreams and discoveries, where we explore and create together to benefit of the world.

As Dean, I want to emphasise what I have also tried to convey when meeting newly admitted students:

I am delighted that different people with different backgrounds come together at LTH. This is a great asset as we build knowledge together, trying to solve problems and societal challenges in technology, design and architecture. I want to encourage you to be curious about each other’s differences and competences, and I want to emphasise that we at LTH always treat each other with respect!

You should also keep in mind that it sometimes takes time to get to know new friends – here Teknologkåren (TLTH) does an important job to create many new contacts. I hope you will feel that you have come to right place.

You can get support from International coordinators and psychological counsellors, and from older LTH students, if something feels too difficult. Ask for help!

My own tips for a great autumn?

• Get involved in something that feels fun or is important to you and dare to show that you want to meet new people.
• Bring a blanket to one of the open parks, go for a bicycle ride or have an evening swim – even in September there can be beautiful days.
• Explore the local area and the Öresund region. Copenhagen is a bonus for us in the south of Sweden as we can easily take the train across the Bridge.
• And listen to your fellow students, especially if you can help each other out when things are tough.

Now you're in a learning environment that naturally requires a lot of hard and planned work. So, we all need to engage in activities that make us feel good. For myself, this autumn I intend to enjoy what nature has to offer.

Wishing you a wonderful term!

Annika Olsson
Dean of LTH