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The International Relations Office plays a central role in supporting students throughout their mobility journey: it ensures successful academic, administrative, and personal integration of French students studying at partner universities abroad, and international students hosted at ICES for a semester or two.
The International Relations Office serves as a key point of contact for international students from the moment they arrive: administrative procedures, academic information, understanding how the institution operates, and becoming familiar with the university environment. This institutional support is essential in providing a reassuring and structured framework from their very first days in La Roche-sur-Yon.
The Student Association Globo: An Essential Partner
In addition to this institutional support, the International Relations Office works closely with the student association Globo, whose commitment is a real asset in welcoming and integrating international students.
Globo mainly assists with practical aspects of daily life, which are often sources of stress when arriving in a new country:
- Opening a French bank account
- Subscribing to a local mobile phone plan
- Helping with grocery shopping and getting familiar with the city
- Providing practical advice on housing and everyday life
Thanks to this local help, international students quickly gain independence and feel guided throughout their settling-in process.
Building Connections and Encouraging Intercultural Exchange
Beyond practical assistance, Globo creates a bridge between French and international students. Throughout the year, the association organizes friendly and inclusive activities, often in partnership with other ICES student associations, fostering encounters and intercultural exchange:
- Cultural outings (a day trip to Puy du Fou)
- Futsal tournament
- Karaoke night
- Cooking workshop and sale of international specialties at the Christmas market
- Raclette and wine-tasting evenings
These informal moments help create lasting bonds, combat isolation, and ensure that international mobility becomes a rich, inclusive, and meaningful human experience.
Complementary Roles Serving the Student Experience
The collaboration between the International Relations Office and the Globo student association illustrates an effective complementarity between institutional support and student engagement. Together, they contribute to creating a welcoming, supportive, and globally oriented environment for the benefit of the entire university community.