Welcoming International Students: Orientation Days at EMLV

The Orientation Days at De Vinci Higher Education mark an essential first step for international students joining EMLV’s Bachelor, Master in Management (Grande École), MBA, DBA, and MSc programmes. Designed to ease their transition into a new academic, social, and cultural environment, these days combine administrative guidance, intercultural discovery, and community-building within the EMLV ecosystem.

From the first breakfast shared at the Learning Center to an afternoon at the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, these two days mark the beginning of a multicultural journey that extends far beyond the classroom.

Orientation Days: A smooth transition into student life in France

Each year, new international cohorts—degree-seeking students and exchange participants—arrive on campus to begin their academic journey.

The sessions provide key information about academic life, digital tools, and essential procedures, such as visa validation, health insurance, and housing arrangements. Workshops led by De Vinci’s International office “Welcome Desk” ensure that students are equipped with everything they need to integrate successfully into their new environment.

This initial support reflects the school’s educational philosophy: helping each student grow both academically and personally while gaining autonomy in a new cultural context.

Welcoming EMLV International Students: Intakes and Student Profiles

Each year, De Vinci Higher Education welcomes new international cohorts through two main intakes.

The September intake brings together degree-seeking students enrolled in the Master in Management – Grande École Programme, Bachelor students, and exchange students joining EMLV for a semester or a full academic year.

The October intake welcomes students enrolled in EMLV’s MBA, DBA, and MSc programmes.

These two sessions mark the beginning of a diverse academic community where international students from all backgrounds integrate into their respective programmes and begin their journey within EMLV’s hybrid and multicultural environment.

Welcome to France!

At EMLV, 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.

Located directly on campus, the Welcome Desk remains accessible throughout the year, in coordination with the De Vinci International Office, ensuring ongoing multilingual assistance and a smooth integration into both academic and everyday life in France.

An effort falling under the Bienvenue en France Label

This initiative is made feasible through the Bienvenue en France label acquired by the schools in 2020. This label, overseen by French authorities, seeks to enhance France’s appeal to international students.

Part of a comprehensive strategy to globally promote French higher education, the label streamlines administrative processes and elevates the quality of the welcome extended.

The school’s International Relations Department organizes Orientation Days, facilitated by the Welcome Desk, to provide international students with the best possible welcome.

Orientation Days: Building connections through intercultural exchange

More than a simple welcome event, the Orientation Days foster a sense of belonging and cross-cultural understanding. Students are introduced to the people who will guide them throughout their studies—programme directors, international relations staff, and the Erasmus Student Network (ESN DeVinci), which plays a central role in organizing integration activities.

Highlights of the programme include the Welcome Conference, which introduces De Vinci’s academic model, a Digital Tools Workshop to master platforms such as DVO and Outlook 365, and the “Settling in France” Fair, where students meet partners from banks, healthcare organizations, and mobility services.

The event also features interactive activities, such as a Seine River cruise and an afternoon at the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, offering participants a first glimpse of French culture and the spirit of teamwork.

A first experience of hybrid and international learning

Orientation Days embody the EMLV’s core identity—hybrid, global, and human-centered. Within the Pôle Léonard de Vinci, students from EMLV (Management), ESILV (Engineering), and IIM (Digital Creation) share the same campus and learning philosophy.

This unique environment fosters collaboration between disciplines and promotes the development of cross-functional skills highly valued in today’s globalized workplace.

The diversity of participants, representing countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, creates a microcosm of international collaboration. Through these early interactions, students begin to experience the multicultural atmosphere that defines EMLV’s programmes.

Preparing for success beyond the classroom

Beyond the logistical aspects, the Orientation Days introduce students to the values that drive De Vinci Higher Education: innovation, inclusion, and adaptability.

The event aligns with EMLV’s commitment to preparing responsible and agile managers who can navigate technological and societal transitions.

Sessions on leadership, intercultural communication, and student life on campus help participants build the soft skills that will accompany their academic journey. The presence of associations such as De Vinci StartUp also invites entrepreneurial minds to explore future opportunities for innovation and project development.

A gateway to the EMLV experience

The Orientation Days are more than a welcome—they are a preview of the transformative learning experience awaiting every student at EMLV.

By the end of the sessions, participants are not only ready to begin their studies but also to engage with an ecosystem that blends management, technology, and creativity.

The success of these days lies in their ability to make students feel part of a larger community—one that values openness, cooperation, and global perspective. This shared foundation accompanies them throughout their academic journey and beyond.

Learn more about the international programmes at EMLV