After several years at the Luxexpo halls and in Belval, the Association of Luxembourg Student Unions (ACEL) is more than pleased with the new location at the Coque in Kirchberg.
The Ministry of Research and Higher Education and ACEL agreed on the move back to Kirchberg, following requests for a more accessible and central site
According to ACEL Vice-President Jo-Anne Maathuis, the venue stands out not only for its central location, but also for its practical layout.
She explained that the oval design allows visitors to see all the stands in a single circuit without having to move between buildings or consult complex floor plans.
The 40th edition of the student fair is also notable for its broader concept: in addition to information about university studies, visitors can learn about a wider range of opportunities, including professions, volunteering, gap years, and internships.
The fair's coordinator from the Ministry, Tom Wenandy, said that while the event in Luxexpo had already begun to expand its offering, the focus narrowed to academic studies when the fair moved to Belval during the COVID pandemic.
However, interest in non-academic options has only grown since then. Wenandy noted that options such as gap years and volunteering have become increasingly popular, with more opportunities and improved financial support available in recent years.
Nevertheless, he observed that students’ general approach and the type of information they seek have remained largely the same.
Several students, interested in fields ranging from psychology, history, and sport management to economics, theatre, and dance, shared their impressions.
One student told RTL that it was useful to visit the university stands and ask questions, even if not everyone is considering the same course.
Another commented that they came to the fair without having any knowledge at all, and will now leave knowing a little more on what they are looking for.
A third student explained that they had many questions answered, such as whether entrance exams are needed.
One student highlighted the value of in-person conversations, noting that while universities' websites also provide a lot of information already, speaking to people in person is always a nice option.
Some visitors said finding information about niche subjects, such as theatre, musicals, and dance, remained a challenge because not many people consider these fields or see them as realistic options, so it remains difficult to get information about them, also at events like the student fair.
Others described the information on offer as helpful, though sometimes lacking in detail.
The student fair continues on Friday, offering students the chance to explore their future options at 180 stands at the Coque in Kirchberg.
