Welcome Days: a week to settle in at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
In January, 250 international exchange students from more than 30 countries joined Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University to pursue their studies for several months. They benefited from a special orientation week, the Welcome Days, which took place from 20th to 24th January.
"The world is represented here, and we are delighted, as you contribute to the internationalisation of our university and its community," said Annie Soriot, Director of International Relations, during the welcome meeting held at the Centre Sorbonne on 22nd January. The event enabled students to better understand the university’s structure and discover the tools available to help them make the most of their academic and intercultural experience.
A series of initiatives to ensure successful integration
During this welcome session in the Descartes lecture hall, participants received a welcome kit and valuable information about the university's cultural and sports activities, as well as resources designed to support their integration, such as the ISAP1 association and the Buddy System mentoring platform. A Q&A session with the International Relations team was also held to guide students on administrative and academic matters related to their mobility.
The following day, more than 120 students gathered at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (CiuP) to further their interactions and build relationships while enjoying local culinary specialities. Among them were Alexandros from Athens and Hermann from Berlin, who enjoyed this informal moment to get to know each other better. "I have always dreamed of living and studying in Paris. Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne has a beautiful history and is one of the best universities in the world," said Alexandros, who plans to complete his studies in Greece before moving elsewhere in Europe. "I think that French culture is very important to be able to work in Europe," added Hermann, who hopes to pursue a career in an NGO after his studies.
Academic and linguistic support
The Welcome Days are not limited to social gatherings. Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to attend French as a Foreign Language (FLE) courses run by the university’s language department, to improve their linguistic and cultural integration. These courses are designed to help participants improve their French skills before the start of the semester, making it easier for them to adapt to their new environment in Paris.
Additionally, some of the university’s academic departments organised specific welcome sessions to guide students through their academic journey. These initiatives aim to strengthen integration by discipline by highlighting the particularities of the different programmes and courses.
Since the beginning of the academic year, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne has welcomed over 700 international students from more than 40 countries – a quarter of whom come from outside Europe – as part of an exchange programme. This international dynamism reflects the university’s commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment, in line with the "Bienvenue en France" label it was awarded five years ago.
Are you studying abroad and interested in enrolling at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne?
