In this 2nd semester of 2022/2023, there are more than 350 foreign students who are part of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa community in Porto. Coming from more than 20 different countries - Europe, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Australia, among others - these students, who are on mobility according to bilateral agreements and on a free moving basis, attend undergraduate and master's courses at all faculties.

On the 9th and 10th of February, to welcome international students, the Universidade Católica in Porto organized several welcoming days, the so-called Orientation Days. A welcome initiative, organized by the International Office, which aims to facilitate the integration of students on campus and in the city of Porto.

During these days, students received practical information about life on campus and in the city of Porto. The program included some ice-breaking activities and a Welcome Port of Honor. They also had the opportunity to take a cruise on the Douro and visit the Port wine cellars. The Orientation Days thus marked the beginning of the experience of foreign students at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto. Magda Ferro, coordinator of the International Office, says that “this year the numbers represent a 300% increase compared to the number of international students in 2019/2020, the last year before the pandemic.”