A year ago, on Christmas Eve, 11 families welcomed 19 international students who study at the University of Lodz. This time the effect exceeded the organisers' wildest expectations. Fifty one families invited eighty-three international students to Christmas. Some of the families invited two students to their homes, and two families declared to accept three international students on Christmas Eve.
It is worth mentioning that although the beginnings of the "Christmas Guest" campaign were modest, it was already during the first edition that real friendships between some hosts and guests were born. This year they are meeting again at the Christmas Eve table.
"Christmas Guest" is one of the activities under the University Diversity project. As part of it, students who come to study at the largest research university in central Poland become, among others, the heroes of photography exhibitions, they meet at culinary workshops or take part in meetings where they learn about Polish culture and customs. They can also learn Polish at the Polish Language Centre for Foreigners of the University of Lodz. The University of Lodz is currently educating over 2000 international students. One of the foundations of the University's strategy is to increase the number of international students and at the same time to provide them with better and better conditions for their stay in Lodz. This applies not only to the educational offer, but also to the sense of integration and daily support. All within one of the main slogans of the University of Lodz – unity in diversity.
Edit: Promotion Centre, University of Lodz