On 27 and 28 August, Chimie ParisTech – PSL welcomed sixteen international students joining the second year of the engineering programme. Organized by Daria Moreau, lecturer and coordinator of Language and Culture courses within the Department of Languages and Cultures, together with students from the Chimie Paris International (CPI) club, this welcome seminar is designed to support their academic and social integration. Combining a discovery of the School, intercultural exchanges, and immersion in their new Parisian environment, these two days provide all the keys to a successful start within the Chimie ParisTech – PSL community.

Getting Oriented in a New Academic Environment.Before classes even begin, international students are invited to familiarize themselves with their new academic setting. Coming from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, and Lebanon, they meet the various staff and services that will support them throughout their studies, including the Academic Affairs Office, the International Relations Office, Student Services, the PSL Welcome Desk, and student associations.

The seminar also helps them better understand the specific features of the engineering programme at Chimie ParisTech – PSL. Topics include the academic calendar, lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, tutoring, assessment methods, and note-taking practices. These first points of reference help ease their transition and provide them with the tools they need to confidently embrace their new student life.

An Immersion into the School and Parisian Life. Successful integration also means discovering the environment in which students will live and study throughout the year. A tour of the School allows them to become familiar with the campus, while social activities organized outside provide a first glimpse of their new surroundings.

Lunch in the Luxembourg Gardens, exploring the neighbourhood, and shared moments at the CROUS student facilities offer valuable opportunities to discover Paris and gradually build new landmarks in the city. More than a simple visit, this immersion helps students settle in smoothly and envision their everyday life in the French capital.

Building an International Cohort Through Exchange. Intercultural openness lies at the heart of this seminar. Through collaborative activities, students are encouraged to share their experiences, discuss their academic journeys, and discover the richness of the diverse cultures represented within the group.

Participatory workshops, team exercises, and collective challenges foster communication, cooperation, and friendship from the very first days. The involvement of students from the Chimie Paris International (CPI) club also plays a key role in this dynamic. By sharing their experience of the School and student life, they help facilitate exchanges with newcomers and contribute to creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

These two days therefore mark the beginning of a human and academic adventure driven by sharing, mutual support, and openness to the world.

Learn more about studying at Chimie ParisTech – PSL.