A smooth arrival, from the very first steps
In order to welcome and support international students throughout their stay in France, UCLy has progressively implemented a wide range of measures aimed at facilitating their integration in the city. This support starts even before students arrive in France.
From the moment they begin preparing their departure, our team stays in touch to guide them step by step. Through the information available on our website and email exchanges, students receive practical information about their arrival, administrative procedures, and daily life in Lyon, so they can feel confident and well prepared before starting their studies at UCLy.
Then, upon arrival in Lyon, each student is given a welcome booklet, packed full of great advice, suggestions and other tips, which is handed out during a Welcome evening, the “Welcome Cocktail” organised in their honour. On this occasion, after a presentation of UCLy and the city of Lyon, international students are invited to a mini forum to meet representatives from the sports bureau, the chaplaincy, the Human Training Department, the International Relations office, the accommodation service, etc. with the objective of ensuring that they have the most successful stay possible.
Festive and cultural activities throughout the year
Once here, they can join of our Buddy Programme, managed by the International Relations office’s trainee. International students get to meet French students on an individual basis, to discuss life in France, or any difficulties they may encounter, particularly so during the initial stages of their stay in Lyon. All throughout
the academic year, they can take part in many different events especially organised for them, such as the Movie Club, Languages Café, the Get Together Cocktail, International Dinners, Days out in Lyon, etc.
Connecting international students and French students
Two UCLy schools dedicated to languages and intercultural communication naturally work hand in hand to help international students feel at home, make friends and settle in faster. Since 2017, ESTRI and ILCF have been organising regular meetings to bring students together and encourage meaningful exchanges.
These meetings connect ESTRI TSIL students (Specialist Translation and Liaison Interpreting) with ILCF students who already have a good level of French.
ILCF students prepare short written assignments on a variety of topics, which then become the starting point for conversation. This gives ESTRI students valuable hands-on experience in proofreading, editing and linguistic mediation (spelling, vocabulary and sentence structure), while helping ILCF students practise French in a friendly and supportive setting.
Beyond language practice, these meetings create real connections and highlight the importance of intercultural dialogue within the UCLy student community. Each session helps strengthen friendships, build confidence and make international students feel truly welcome.
Together with other initiatives across UCLy (ESQESE, ESDES, ESTBB, the Faculty of Law and more), the International Relations Office’s Buddy Programme will continue to develop these opportunities and encourage even more collaboration between French and international students.
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