At De Vinci Higher Education, Orientation Days mark the official welcome of international students joining ESILV’s engineering programmes. The goal is clear: to provide each student with a structured, informative, and warm introduction to their academic and social environment in France.
Organised by the International Relations Department, the event provides essential tools to help degree-seeking and exchange students integrate smoothly into campus life and Parisian culture.
ESILV welcomes its international students: A structured start for two intakes
This year, Orientation Days were organised for two cohorts of international students arriving between August and October.
The September intake gathered students enrolled in the Master’s in Engineering – Grande École Programme and Bachelor degrees across De Vinci Higher Education schools (ESILV, EMLV, IIM), as well as incoming exchange students for one or two semesters.
The October intake welcomed degree-seeking students enrolled in the MSc programmes. Each session offered a comprehensive two-day schedule combining administrative support, academic orientation, and social integration.
Programme highlights: from essentials to discovery
Orientation Days offered international students a comprehensive introduction to life at De Vinci Higher Education. The schedule combined practical workshops, academic briefings, and cultural activities designed to ease their transition to student life in France.
The programme began with the distribution of student badges and a welcome breakfast at the Learning Center, creating an opportunity for students to connect with their peers and staff before the official Welcome Conference, which introduced the academic structure and available support services.
Throughout the sessions, students participated in hands-on workshops on digital tools essential for their studies, such as the student portal, DVO learning platform, and Microsoft Outlook 365, alongside informative sessions on key administrative procedures, including visa validation, healthcare registration, banking, and housing aid.
The “Settling in France Fair” brought together representatives from partner banks, healthcare services, and the De Vinci Startup incubator, providing direct access to useful contacts and personalised advice.
To round off the experience, students participated in integration activities, such as a cruise on the Seine and an afternoon at the Jardin des Tuileries, fostering intercultural exchange and a sense of community from the very first days on campus.
Welcome to France, Welcome to ESILV!
At ESILV, international students are supported from the moment they arrive in France thanks to a dedicated Welcome Desk, a multilingual service designed to simplify every step of the transition to campus life.
Whether joining for an exchange semester or a full-time international programme, students benefit from personalised guidance covering essential administrative and practical matters such as visa validation and renewal, housing support, registration for health insurance and housing aid, bank account opening, and access to local transport.
The Welcome Desk also assists newcomers with day-to-day needs—setting up phone and internet subscriptions, understanding local services, and navigating the student environment. During Welcome Week, this support continues with practical workshops on insurance, health, and banking, followed by campus tours and social activities led by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), fostering intercultural connections from the start.
A welcome under the “Bienvenue en France” label
The Orientation Days initiative is part of the broader Bienvenue en France framework, a national label obtained by De Vinci Higher Education in 2020.
This distinction, awarded by the French government, recognises institutions that provide international students with high-quality support and information — from admission to graduation.
It also highlights France’s ongoing effort to remain one of the world’s most attractive study destinations.
ESN DeVinci: students helping students
Integral to the success of Orientation Days is the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) DeVinci, the association dedicated to welcoming and integrating international students on campus.
Working closely with the International Relations Department, ESN DeVinci organizes social events, city tours, cultural activities, and practical workshops under the principle of “Students Helping Students.”
Its members act as peer mentors, helping newcomers adapt to their academic environment while discovering French culture. The association also provides a “survival guide” and regularly updates students through social media on events and opportunities to connect.
Towards an enriching academic journey
Orientation Days are more than an introduction; they represent the first step of an international learning experience rooted in academic excellence, multicultural exchange, and personal growth.
By combining practical workshops, cultural discovery, and community support, ESILV ensures that international students feel prepared and confident to start their journey in engineering and innovation in France.
Learn more about ESILV’s International Programmes
This post was last modified on 7 October 2025 4:27 pm