A look back at the Campus France conference in Caen: CESI’s experience in welcoming international students
In this page :
- A multi-campus approach to supporting international students
- A shared framework for international student support
- Positive feedback and prospects for collaboration
On 17 June 2025, CESI took part in the 11th edition of the national conference on welcoming international students, organised by Campus France on the University of Caen in Normandy. Supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Normandy Region, this event reflects the mobilisation of public stakeholders to enhance the attractiveness of French higher education. More than 400 participants attended, representing nearly 150 institutions, including the majority of universities and 80 prestigious schools (grandes écoles).
A multi-Campus approach to supporting international students
During the conference’s thematic workshops, several key topics were discussed, including housing, integrated welcome desks, mental health, inclusion and access to rights. These discussions have contributed to national reflections on how to improve support systems for international students.
On this occasion, Karine Gourlet, Head of International Mobility, and Stefan Seiler, Director of International Development, presented the initiatives implemented across CESI’s 25 campuses.
Their presentation focused on the specific challenges of operating a multi-campus structure, given that each campus functions within its own local context. They emphasised the importance of daily collaboration between central departments, regional offices, and international relations officers to ensure consistent, high-quality support across all sites.
A shared framework for international student support
One of the highlights of CESI’s presentation was the introduction of the “Charter for the Welcoming of International Students,” which has recently been rolled out across the institution. This document establishes a shared set of best practices for all 25 campuses and formalises several concrete commitments, such as assigning a dedicated contact person to each international student, offering personalised support upon arrival, setting up a ‘buddy system’ mentorship programme and adapting support measures to local conditions relating to student numbers, institutional partnerships or available resources.
The aim of the charter is to ensure consistent support nationwide while maintaining the flexibility needed to respond to each campus’s specific needs.
Positive feedback and prospects for collaboration
CESI’s presentation sparked strong interest among attendees. Several institutions expressed a desire to learn more about the Charter and requested opportunities for methodological exchanges and feedback. There were also discussions about intercultural training for staff, with some schools asking CESI for recommendations on training providers. Karine Gourlet commented:
Several participants approached us after our presentation to discuss how our organisation is structured, and some institutions are interested in using it as a model.
This participation is part of a broader movement of institutional recognition. Our school is increasingly being invited by Campus France to contribute to topics related to student support and the internationalisation of higher education.
This growing visibility highlights the quality of the systems implemented by CESI and reflects the institution’s ongoing commitment to providing structured and supportive assistance to international students.