--- title: "New students at HSG get to know StartWeek 2026 in St. Gallen; one-week campus integration ahead of term" sdDatePublished: "2026-09-03T13:05:00Z" source: "https://www.unisg.ch/en/newsdetail/news/new-students-will-get-to-know-hsg-during-startweek-2026/" topics: - name: "education" identifier: "medtop:05000000" - name: "students" identifier: "medtop:20000415" - name: "university" identifier: "medtop:20000407" locations: - "St. Gallen" --- New students at HSG get to know StartWeek 2026 in St. Gallen; one-week campus integration ahead of term New students will get to know HSG during StartWeek 2026 Why HSG? Why HSG? Overview Engaged community Great career opportunities Superb study programmes HSG Best Talents Programmes Programmes Overview Bachelor Master Doctorate Exchange programmes Exchange programmes Overview Incoming Guest Students Outgoing HSG Students Get in touch Get in touch Overview Open Days & Exchanges Campus tours Fairs Offers for schools Services for businesses Admissions Admissions Overview Admission Bachelor Admission Master Admission Ph.D. Additional Qualification Programmes Recognition of degrees Application deadlines Rematriculation Studying at HSG Studying at HSG Overview Admitted – what's next? Semester dates Course choice and exams Costs of an HSG degree Living in St.Gallen Courses Costs of an HSG degree Orientation Orientation Overview Advice and support Campus Uni ABCs Research at HSG Research at HSG Overview Open Science Office Scientific Integrity & Research Ethics Research Support Research Services GSERM - Global School in Empirical Research Methods Prizes and Awards Scientific Integrity & Research Ethics GSERM - Global School in Empirical Research Methods Faculty Faculty Overview Open Faculty Positions Faculty Portal Welcome Center Faculty Development Mid Career Programme Academic Career Development Research units Research units Overview Schools Institutes Global Centers Centers Strategic research collaboration Transparency Ph.D. Ph.D. Overview PhD Programme in Management (PMA) Graduate Programme in Economics and Finance (GPEF) Computer Science (DCS) Law (DLS) Organization Studies and Cultural Theory (DOK) International Affairs and Political Economy (DIA) Early Career Programme PhD Programme in Management (PMA) Graduate Programme in Economics and Finance (GPEF) Organization Studies and Cultural Theory (DOK) International Affairs and Political Economy (DIA) Research in Focus Research in Focus Overview Elite Quality Index Circular Lab Consumer Spending in Switzerland Career & Corporate Services Career & Corporate Services Overview Einzelberatung Karriere-Workshops Werkzeuge und Vorlagen Stellenplattform Career & Corporate Services Overview HSG Entrepreneurship HSG Entrepreneurship Overview HSG Entrepreneurship Services Ideation Incubation Acceleration Community About us Teaching Insights and advice for partners from the world of work Newsroom Newsroom Overview Special Topic HSG Entrepreneurship Special Topic Artificial Intelligence Special Topic Sustainability Media releases Newsletter Events Events Overview Event calendar Öffentliche Vorlesungen Dies academicus HSG Graduation Days PhD Degree Award Ceremony St.Gallen Symposium START Summit Publications Publications Overview HSG Focus Brochures Research Platform Alexandria Video series Video series Overview Impact Awards In the Lab Knowledge Bank Art interviews Academic GIFts Little Green Bags Podcasts Podcasts Overview HSG Student Podcast Grüezi Amerika. Views from the Sister Republic Meet the CFO HSG Research Insight SQUARE Talks Innovations in Sustainable Finance Machines That Fail Us Grüezi Amerika. Views from the Sister Republic About us About us Overview Vision, strategy and values Organisation History Rankings and accreditations Quality development Art at the HSG Advisory offices HSG at a glance HSG at a glance Overview Numbers lab Research in focus The history of HSG HSG at a glance Overview Engagement Engagement Overview Student engagement Responsibility and Sustainability Diversity & Inclusion Regional impact HSG Alumni HSG Foundation Offers for the public Offers for the public Overview Public Lectures Children’s University HSG SQUARE Experiencing the HSG Info Desk and contact Offers for the public Overview Library Library Overview Search and Use Research and publishing Visiting and Studying Contact and Consultation Schools Schools Overview School of Computer Science School of Economics and Political Science School of Finance School of Humanities and Social Sciences Law School School of Management School of Economics and Political Science School of Humanities and Social Sciences Working at HSG Working at HSG Overview Jobs Working in administration Working in Academia Apprenticeship at HSG Life in Switzerland Entry from abroad: First steps Entry from abroad: First steps News Studying Research Executive Education Transfer News University Newsroom Newsroom Events Publications Video series Podcasts Campus - 03.09.2026 - 09:00 New students will get to know HSG during StartWeek 2026 St. Gallen is getting ready for the new academic year: In September, new students will begin their first semester at HSG. During StartWeek , from September 7 to 11, 2026—one week before classes officially begin—they’ll be a central part of campus and city life. Divided into groups, the first-year students will not only get to know HSG during this week but also meet their new classmates, explore the city of St. Gallen, and receive important information about everyday student life. The goal of this special week is to provide orientation and make the transition to studying at HSG easier. “We support our new students more closely than any other university in Switzerland,” says Miriam Mrisi, Head of the Service Center for StartWeek & Assessment Year. StartWeek was introduced in 2001 in conjunction with the launch of the Bologna Process at HSG. Experienced HSG Students as Mentors Each year, tutors (students in higher semesters) are selected and trained in a two-semester course to prepare them for their leadership roles during StartWeek. “The tutors have to apply. Many remember how important their own StartWeek was and want to contribute to the HSG community,” says Mrisi. In addition to being responsible for the academic and administrative orientation, they help new students get to know the city of St. Gallen and encourage interaction among them. For example, a barbecue evening organized by the Student Union (SHSG), which represents the interests of all HSG students, is a regular feature of the week. Students Work on a Case Study on Polarization During StartWeek, new students engage with a case study on the topic of “polarization.” Working in groups, they develop creative solutions, which they present at the end of the week in the form of 90-second “pitches” and short videos. In their work, the new students are supported by input from various experts, several of whom have a background at HSG: Among them are political scientist Christoph Frei, U.S. expert Claudia Brühwiler, philosopher Michael G. Festl, and Middle East expert Andreas Böhm. They are joined by external experts such as Swiss Red Cross Director Nora Kronig, author and TV host Katja Gentinetta, and communications coach Michael Berndonner. All of them share their expertise with the students. “The case study immerses students in the HSG approach right from the start: interdisciplinary, practice-oriented, and focused on socially relevant topics,” says Mrisi. At the end of the week, six selected groups will present their proposed solutions in the Olma Halls to all StartWoche participants and a jury. The jury consists of Andreas Kirchschläger, Founding Partner & CEO of the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization and member of the HSG University Council; HSG Professor and Full Professor of Philosophy Christine Abbt; and political scientist Christoph Frei. StartWeek is supported by a media team consisting of 20 upper-level students and experienced media experts. They produce content for a dedicated Instagram channel and report daily on the highlights of this special week. In cooperation with TVO, television segments are also produced every evening for TVO News. New students from 45 countries at the HSG Kick-off Days As part of the English-language Kick-off Days, HSG also welcomes new students at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The orientation program gives newcomers from 45 countries insight into organizational processes and all departments relevant to their studies. In addition, the new HSG students get to know their fellow students even before the start of the academic year through workshops and guided tours. As part of the academic program, the new students will explore the topic “Competences, Perspectives & Faith in Complex Times” on September 11, 2026. More articles from the same category HSG Chaplain Thomas Reschke: 25 Years between Comfort, Questions of Meaning, and Campus Life HSG Students Launch Project to Reduce Waste on Campus International students are shaping the future of mobility at the HSG Summer School The Human Performance Club at HSG brings together startups, researchers, and students When tourism shapes politics: How soft power designs the image of countries This could also be of interest to you Thomas Reschke served as the HSG chaplain for 25 years. During that time, HSG grew significantly and became more international. What has remained is… HSG graduate Luca Schmid traces stories in documentary films—from Iran to St.Gallen It was during his studies at HSG that Luca Schmid first became involved in documentary filmmaking. Now, the filmmaker is launching a new documentary… More solar power, moving away from fossil fuels: HSG continues to modernise its campus A new photovoltaic system is due to be installed on the roof of the HSG main building in summer 2026. With all its solar installations, HSG will be… DACH Entrepreneurship Study: HSG Performs Exceptionally Well The University of St. Gallen achieved outstanding results in the study “Entrepreneurial Impact of Academic Institutions 2026” and is the most… HSG students are taking action for sustainability Over the past two semesters, HSG students have been helping out at the St. Gallen Gassenküche, maintaining nature reserves in Eastern Switzerland and… StartWeek, September 7–11, 2026, introduces new HSG students to university life—from planning their studies to making new friends. In addition, students will work together on an interdisciplinary case study addressing current and socially relevant topics. HSG actively supports students in founding companies. Here we present some of the over 170 official HSG spin-offs. In the special topic, HSG researchers highlight the opportunities and challenges in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in various areas of society such as business, health and education. Responsibility and sustainability are a central part of the strategy of the University of St.Gallen. In our thematic focus, we collect contributions on sustainability in teaching and research as well as on ecological sustainability on campus. University of St.Gallen Dufourstrasse 50 9000 St.Gallen Switzerland © Copyright 2026 University of St.Gallen, Switzerland