From September 7 to 12, 2026, International School of Management and Economics (ISME), National Economics University (NEU), welcomed the new academic year with ISME Orientation Week 2026 for first-year students of IBD@NEU Intake 22 and BBAE@NEU Intake 68. Centered around the theme “Radiant Sunshine,” the week offered students more than just an introduction to university life. Through a series of engaging activities and shared experiences, they had the opportunity to settle into their new environment, connect with peers and mentors, explore their interests and aspirations, and begin shaping the university experience that lies ahead.
IBD@NEU Intake 22 and BBAE@NEU Intake 68 at ISME Orientation Week 2026
The First Light of a New Beginning: Into a New Chapter at ISME@NEU
The first week of university is not simply about how many activities students take part in. What makes it truly memorable is everything that begins to take shape along the way – a new friendship, a mentor to turn to when questions arise, a corner of campus that gradually feels familiar, or simply the feeling of finally belonging to a place that was once known only by name.
The faculty and staff of ISME warmly welcome the new students.
For many first-year students, those first days may have come with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Yet, through shared activities with friends, Mentors, Supervisors, and senior students, they gradually found their first connections within the ISME community. Conversations, laughter, and moments of support helped turn an unfamiliar environment into one that felt a little more like home. For the Mentors, the journey was about more than helping newcomers navigate their classes and campus life; it was also about being there for them as they took their first steps into an entirely new chapter.
Mentors and Supervisors supporting students through their first experiences
When Bright Lights Come Together: Building Connections at ISME@NEU
Throughout the week, each experience was designed to help first-year students do more than simply learn about ISME@NEU – it gave them a chance to experience the community they will be part of in the years ahead. From discovering the National Economics University campus and taking part in extracurricular activities to exploring the learning opportunities and experiences available to students, every activity offered a new perspective on university life.
Students discovering the learning environment and taking part in hands-on experiences
One week may not be enough to remember every classroom or meet everyone who will become part of their journey. But it was enough to make an unfamiliar place feel a little more familiar. Their first walks across the NEU campus, the moments shared with teammates, and the conversations that followed each experience will gradually become some of the first memories of a new generation of ISME students.
Exploring National Economics University
Light to Guide Their Dreams: Exploring Academic and Career Pathways
The journey also encouraged students to look beyond the familiar and see their fields of study and future careers from a more practical perspective. Conversations with industry experts and guest speakers, along with firsthand experiences at businesses, gave them a closer look at the fields they are preparing to enter. Behind every degree programme lies a world of careers, professional stories, and real-world expectations – all of which they will gradually discover throughout their university years.
These experiences may not have provided all the answers about what comes next, but they opened the door to important questions: What truly interests me? Which skills do I want to develop? And where could my university journey take me? For many students, these first questions mark the beginning of a journey to better understand themselves, their aspirations, and the path they want to pursue.
New students gain practical insights into their fields of study and future careers.
Beyond the experiences themselves, Orientation Week 2026 also gave first-year students time to prepare for a new way of learning and living. Insights from lecturers on the academic programmes, learning approaches, and personal development pathways equipped students with the mindset and knowledge they need to step into university life with greater confidence and initiative. Unlike previous stages of education, university offers greater freedom and more choices, while also placing greater responsibility on each student to take ownership of their own journey.
Networking Session with ISME Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh: “ISME Warriors”
Networking Session with Speakers from the Management and Marketing Fields
Shining Through Knowledge, Growing Through Experience: Learning and Taking on Industry Challenge
The ideas, connections, and lessons gathered throughout the week came together in the final challenge, Industry Challenge. Working in teams, first-year students tackled real-world problems, developed ideas, refined their solutions, and confidently presented their work before the judging panel. What made the experience meaningful was not simply the final outcome, but the courage to step forward, share their ideas, embrace feedback, and work together to improve both their solutions and themselves.
Student confidently showcase their ideas at the Industry Challenge
The Judging Panel of the Industry Challenge
The Efforts Behind a Week of Passion and Dedication
A First Chapter, A Journey of Their Own: Looking Back on Orientation Week and the Beginning of Four Memorable Years at ISME@NEU
Looking back, Orientation Week 2026 was more than just an introduction to university life. It was a journey that helped young students move beyond the initial uncertainty, form their first connections, broaden their perspectives on their fields of study, and begin to understand themselves and the paths ahead. Every experience, big or small, became another piece of the first picture they are creating of university life at ISME.
The Excitement and Enthusiasm of New Students on the Final Day of Orientation Week
“Radiant Sunshine” was therefore more than the theme of the week. It reflected a new generation of students beginning journeys of their own. Each student brings a unique personality, passion, and sense of direction. Yet, together under the roof of ISME@NEU, these individual lights come together to create a vibrant, positive, and inspiring community.
As Orientation Week comes to an end, these first experiences will gradually become cherished memories. Ahead of the IBD@NEU Intake 22 and BBAE@NEU Intake 68 students lies a much longer journey, filled with new lessons, friendships, challenges, and opportunities. From the first sparks of Orientation Week 2026, may each student continue to stay curious, embrace new experiences, and confidently write their own story throughout their years at the International School of Management and Economics, National Economics University.
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