Mingle during the event Farewell Ceremony 2022. Photo credit Patrik Ekenblom
The hot June sun is high in the sky, warming the asphalt around the Concert and Congress Hall in Linköping. The red carpet has been rolled out, and the copper-coloured, well-polished boundary posts shine in the sun's rays. It is time once again for the Farewell Ceremony, the farewell event for students who have studied in one of LiU’s international programmes.
Students from all over the world
Hundreds of expectant students from all over the world have gathered in the foyer, together with family and friends. There is a constant buzz of different languages and dialects that fills the area and muffles the sound of the lounge music. Some are dressed in traditional costumes from their home countries, others wear a tailcoat, suit, or their finest dress. Still others are casually dressed. You can almost touch the tension and nervousness in the air. After studying for one or two years at LiU, it is now time to say goodbye.A time for appreciation
The ceremony has elements of the Swedish academic ceremony, but also resembles a foreign graduation ceremony. Student marshals begin the ceremony and the audience listens to several live performances. The vice-chancellor gives a speech, as does a student who is selected to talk about their experiences at LiU. A teacher talks about how education is enriched by LiU’s students on international programmes, and the students step onto the stage and shake hands with the vice-chancellor while receiving their congratulatory letter to the sounds of a trumpet. Then it’s time for portrait photography, both individually and with classes. After the two-hour ceremony, champagne glasses filled with non-alcoholic cider, coffee, tea and tasty strawberry cake await in the foyer area.Wanted to give something back to the students
Before the introduction of the Farewell Ceremony, students were thanked by a simple meet-and-greet. But when Sweden decided to introduce tuition fees for foreign students (those outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland), the idea was raised to do something bigger for those students who invested both time and money in their future careers. The concept began to be planned, and since 2012 the ceremony has been part of LiU’s regular activities.The concept has been adjusted since then, not least after the pandemic. The ceremony is now broadcast live to those who do not have the opportunity to come to Linköping, and this has proved very popular. But one thing that hasn’t changed since the beginning is the students’ love and gratitude to LiU, which is fully reciprocated. And time will never change that.