ORANJESTAD, Aruba — University of Aruba Students are beginning a new academic chapter as more than 381 learners start new programs during the 2026 academic year, including more than 42 international students.
The University of Aruba marked the beginning of the new academic year with its annual O’Days on August 18 and 19.
More than 268 new students participated in the two-day orientation program, which was designed to help students from Aruba and abroad become familiar with university life.
For the new academic year, more than 860 students were admitted to the University of Aruba, while more than 381 are beginning a new program. Current Aruba reporting confirms those figures.
University of Aruba Students Join O’Days
This year’s theme is “Your Pattern Shapes More Than You.”
The message encourages University of Aruba Students to think beyond their individual academic achievements and consider how their decisions, relationships and actions can also influence the people and communities around them.
The two-day O’Days program was designed to help new students feel comfortable on campus before beginning their regular academic schedules.
Students were introduced to several university offices, services and support centers, including student well-being and guidance services, the library, International Office and Educational Affairs.
The objective was to ensure students know where they can find assistance when they have questions, need academic guidance or require personal support.
Activities Help Students Build Connections
Orientation also included activities designed to encourage students to meet one another and become more familiar with the campus.
One of the activities was a Fox Hunt, during which students worked together while exploring different locations and learning more about the university environment.
Staff members, deans and program coordinators also shared a meal with the incoming students during the first day.
The activity reflected the university’s message that students should feel supported from the beginning of their academic journey.
The second day included cultural and recreational activities.
Aruba Salsa provided an introduction to dance and local culture, giving students an opportunity to relax, interact and enjoy the orientation experience.
International Students Join UA Community
The University of Aruba is also welcoming more than 42 international students from several European countries.
Their arrival adds different perspectives and experiences to the university community while strengthening UA’s international character.
Current local reporting also confirms that more than 42 international students are joining the institution this academic year.
The O’Days concluded with outdoor activities, games and conversations designed to help students develop relationships before classes move fully into their regular schedules.
UA Encourages Students to Think About Impact
Throughout the orientation, University of Aruba Students were encouraged to reflect on the type of impact they want to create during their time at UA.
The university emphasized that academic life involves more than earning qualifications.
The relationships students develop, knowledge they gain, decisions they make and contributions they offer can also influence the wider university community.
UA refers to its students as UAchievers and encourages them to discover their potential, support those around them and consider the difference they can make beyond the classroom.
The university thanked staff members, student assistants, lecturers, deans and program coordinators who contributed to this year’s orientation.
With more than 381 students beginning new programs, the 2026 academic year marks another period of growth for the University of Aruba and its increasingly diverse student community.
