Indian students advised to fully engage in France

By

Jose Kalathil

French Ambassador to India, Alexandre Ziegler, advised Indian students going to study in France to engage fully in their experience of France by “watching our movies and dancing to our music.” He was addressing a pre-departure orientation session for 250 students going to France at the French embassy in New Delhi.

Some of the Indian students who received Charpak and Erasmus scholarships will pursue their higher studies in a variety of subjects that include fashion, technology and the French language.

It was organised by the French embassy through Institut Français India (IFI) / Campus France. Counsellor of Cooperation and Cultural Action and IFI Country Director, Dr. Bertrand de Hartingh, and Scientific and University Cooperation Attaché, Ms Caroline Gueny-Mentre, also graced the function.

The ceremony covered critical information for students like administrative procedures to be completed on their arrival in France to teaching methods used in French educational institutions, as well as inter-cultural aspects, and other relevant matters including the availability of vegetarian food.

French Ambassador to India, Alexandre Ziegler, addressing Indian students going to study in France at a pre-departure orientation session at the embassy in New Delhi.

Students will have innumerable advantages studying in France. French is a global language, spoken on all five continents, and the second business language. A centre of creativity and arts, France ranks among the top three global leaders in innovation, and is Europe’s most innovative country.

A network called “France Alumni” connects those who have studied or worked in France, providing them work and partnership opportunities. The Embassy of France is keen on increasing Indian students’ mobility to France and to give the alumni the keys to becoming a success story in France and everywhere. Last year, 4,000 Indian students went to France for their higher education, a jump of 100% over the past five years.

With centuries old universities such as the École Normale Superieure (ENS Paris), École Polytechnique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), Université Paris-Sorbonne, HEC, INSEAD and many others offering excellent education in art, innovation, science and technology, and more, France’s higher education and research institutions rank among the world’s best. The QS team has voted Paris this year too as the “best international student city” for the third time in a row.

Students from India and the world over can study in these institutions either in the medium of English or French. Students opting for programmes taught in French at state universities in France get the benefit of a tuition-fee waiver like any other French citizen.

Pre-departure sessions for students going to France were also held in nine cities across India.

Jose Kalathil

Jose Kalathil is a senior journalist based in New Delhi. With more than three decades of experience in different publications in India and Nepal, he is comfortable writing on any topic under the sun.