The Freshers’ Week is an integral component of the HSG’s culture and takes place a week before the beginning of the semester. Since 2003, newly enrolled undergraduates in the Assessment Year have familiarised themselves with the campus and the services provided by the University. In this way, they are prepared for the first year of their studies in mental, academic and organisational terms.

The programme of the Freshers’ Week is varied and challenging. After the inaugural event on Monday morning, the first-semester students are divided up into 60 groups of approx. 24 undergraduates. Two tutors – students in a higher semester – lead a group and accompany the Assessment Year students through the week. Within a tight weekly schedule, the students deal with a case study focusing on a current issue, which at the end of the week they then present to a preliminary jury and, in the best case, to a jury. In this manner, they simulate the group work of the Assessment Year and familiarise themselves with the demands that will be made on them by academic work at the HSG.

The case studies for the Freshers’ Week are always interdisciplinary, societally relevant and future-oriented. In the last few years, the focus was on the following issues:

• 2016: Old-age provision risk in Switzerland – a campaign competition
• 2014 & 2015: Outlook Switzerland – risks and opportunities
• 2012 & 2013: Development strategies – a country creates its future
• 2011: Food security – ways to escape from hunger
• 2010: The media – understanding, experiencing and producing
• 2009: Intercultural conflicts and cooperation
• 2008: Energy: the challenges of a sustainable energy supply

Besides the case study, undergraduates are introduced to the degree course system, the HSG’s IT infrastructure and the library. In the Freshers’ Week, the first-semester students establish contact with future fellow students and learn to work in a team.

Since autumn 2013, the HSG has run the Freshers’ Week in two languages: German and English.