De Vinci Higher Education welcomed international students for Orientation Days at its new Campus du Parc. The programme combined academic information, administrative support, digital tools and activities with ESN DeVinci to prepare students for their studies and daily life in France.
Organised by the International Relations Department, the Orientation Days provide international students joining ESILV and the other De Vinci Higher Education schools with practical information from their first days on campus.
International Orientation Days at the new Campus du Parc
The Orientation Days marked the students’ arrival at the new De Vinci Higher Education Campus du Parc.
The programme began with student badge distribution and a welcome breakfast. Students also attended a Welcome Conference introducing De Vinci Higher Education and the teams supporting them during their studies.
The programme then focused on the digital environment used throughout their programmes. A dedicated workshop covered the student portal, the DVO distance-learning platform, and Microsoft Outlook 365, giving participants the practical information they needed to access their academic resources and communications.
The Orientation Days marked the students’ arrival at the new De Vinci Higher Education Campus du Parc.
A Seine cruise with ESN DeVinci
After the academic and digital sessions, the programme continued with an integration activity organised with ESN DeVinci.
Students took part in a Bateau Mouche cruise on the Seine, giving participants from different countries and programmes a first opportunity to meet outside the classroom while getting familiar with Paris.
ESN DeVinci works with the International Relations Department throughout the academic year. Part of the Erasmus Student Network, the association organises activities for international students and provides peer-to-peer support based on the network’s “Students Helping Students” principle.
Visa, healthcare and housing procedures in France
The Orientation Days also covered the administrative steps involved in studying and living in France.
A Visa Conference provided information on procedures international students may need to complete after arriving in France.
This was followed by a session dedicated to administrative procedures, including the French healthcare system and housing-related formalities. These topics complement the assistance available through De Vinci Higher Education’s Welcome Desk, which supports international students with practical matters linked to their arrival and studies in France.
The Welcome Desk provides guidance on visa procedures, healthcare registration, housing assistance, banking, and local transport.
Orientation Days 2026: The international students arriving to Campus du Parc
The Settling in France Fair brings services together on campus
The programme concluded with the Settling in France Fair.
Banks, insurance providers, representatives from French Social Security, and student associations were brought together on campus. International students could therefore identify relevant contacts and obtain information about several procedures in one place.
The format complements the administrative sessions: the conferences explain the procedures, while the fair gives students direct access to organisations and associations they may interact with during their stay.
Administrative sessions: a series of conferences to explain French administration procedures
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 De Vinci Higher Education obtained 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.”
Integral to the success of Orientation Days is the Erasmus Student Network DeVinci
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 on events and opportunities to connect through social media.
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 international students feel prepared and confident as they begin their journey in engineering and innovation in France.
Learn more about ESILV’s International Programmes
This post was last modified on 8 September 2026 5:29 pm