On August 19 and 20 of this year, the first-year student Seminar "ZGI" was held, which gathered future students from all faculties of Rīga Stradiņš University.

As already every year the abbreviation "ZGI" is deciphered differently, and this year it was deciphered as "The Grand Emergence of Stars"! This year, the main topic of the seminar, as the name suggests, was Hollywood, as well as everything about and around movies.

The participants started the first day with registration and listening to the opening speech of the seminar from Rīga Stradiņš University Rector Aigars Pētersons and the Chairperson of the Rīga Stradiņš University Student Union Elizabete Maija Liepa. After the opening speech of the seminar, the participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the university environment by listening to the annual ZGI lecturer Daniils Žukovs’ lecture about studies, the university and his experience in it, as well as to learn more about innovation and growth from the guest lecturer Ingmārs Pūķis, TET vice president in the field of IT and development.

Between the lectures, the first years got to know each other better through various activities, discussions and familiarization games in an informal atmosphere. After the lectures, the participants were educated about the study process, the university environment and got an insight into their future university life in the stories of the faculties, where older year students gave presentations about the university and their faculty. Later, orientation around the territory of the RSU followed, so that the students could gain an understanding of the important places in the lives of students, for example, the location of the Student Union Office and the library in the university. The day ended with an adventurous night track, at the end of which they had the opportunity to present their Hollywood-related outfits.

The second day was celebrated by the participants with music and exercise, under the guidance of the organizers, followed by educational stories of experiences, rest, physical activities and an informative lecture about RSU SU. The event, as every year, ended with the awarding of teams and participants, where the first place was won by the team "Cilvēks Lāpa", while the second place was awarded to "Melnā Pantēra", and the third place to "Hulk". Barbie on roller skates, Edward Scissorhands and Walter White were awarded the best costumes of the night.

Many thanks to all participants for their active participation, fantastic costumes and positive atmosphere!

We would also like to say a big and sincere THANK YOU to our beloved sponsors: Merrild Baltics for the delicious coffee, Cannelle for various pastries, Domino for lunch pizzas, Alpro for various vegetable milks, Ķelmēni for breads, ILGZEEM for drinks, Actimel and ACTIVIA for yogurts and yogurt drinks, OYAKATA for bags, charms and noodles, Ādažu Čipsi for crispy snacks and chips, Pergale for delicious cookies, Pētergailis, Smalkais muslis for coupons for the winning teams, Cinevilla, Rāmkalni, Sigulda Zoo and K-suns for entrance tickets, Ceļmalītes for lip balms, Balts paper for planners lecturers and Saules Sveces for candles for the lecturers!