Welcome Day 2025

The international students’ welcome day began with a bilingual (English-French) information session and a meal at the Chênes campus, and continued at the Cergy-Pontoise Leisure Park to introduce these new students to the various activities available in the area around the university. In the afternoon, participants had the chance to try their hand at paddleboarding, kayaking, laser tag and disc golf, thereby bonding with their fellow students. Nearly 200 students took part in the event.

A welcoming atmosphere

Since its launch in 2009, Welcome Day has been a key event in the start of the academic year for international students joining CY Cergy Paris University. “This day serves to inform new international students about campus life at CY Cergy Paris University, including reception services, administrative support and student life, but also to give them a taste of the activities on offer at CY Cergy Paris University and in Cergy-Pontoise,” explains Sarah Bousquet, International Events Coordinator at CY Cergy Paris University. “Welcome Day allows us to meet these students and give them the tools to take control of their studies and their success.” For students arriving in the second semester, particularly those on the Erasmus programme, a second orientation day is planned for January 2026.

Specific activities and services

Outside of these orientation days, the International Education and Mobility Department supports international students with their enrolment procedures at CY Cergy Paris University, in collaboration with the academic departments, the faculties and the international relations offices at each campus. The International Welcome Desk, meanwhile, assists international students with administrative procedures outside their studies (residence permits, banking, CPAM, CAF, etc.).