At the start of each academic term (“semestre”), the Université de Lorraine’s International and European Relations Department organizes welcome events for international students.
These opportunities provide students with practical information and personalised assistance in carrying out administrative formalities as well as a range of convivial and festive activities.
Welcome
EVENTS
The Welcome Days! 2026
Are you a new international student at the University of Lorraine?
To celebrate the start of the January term, the Welcome Desk of the Université de Lorraine is pleased to meet you and invite you to its Welcome Days!
Dates and venues
- Nancy: Thursday, 29 January, Maison de l’Étudiant (MDE), Lettres et Sciences Humaines Campus
- Metz: Thursday, 5 February, Maison de l’Étudiant (MDE), Saulcy Campus
program
From 5:30 pm to 7:15 pm: information stands and support for everyday administrative procedures, with the participation of the Université de Lorraine services and their partners. A treasure hunt will be organised, along with the distribution of goodies.
Doors will close at 7:30 pm.
From 7:45 pm to 9:00 pm: “French Apéro”, including welcome speeches and a welcome cocktail.
From 9:30 pm: “After Party” organised by student associations. Further information will be provided during the “French Apéro”.
Registration required
This event is open exclusively to international students arriving at the Université de Lorraine for the second semester. Registration is free but mandatory, as places are limited.
Registration will be open from 6 to 20 January in Nancy, and from 13 to 27 January in Metz
An invitation will be sent by email to international students arriving for the second semester. Please remember to check your spam folder. For any questions, you can contact us at: drie-welcome-envent@univ-lorraine.fr
We hope to see you in Nancy or Metz during the Welcome Days!
The Welcome Desk team of the Université de Lorraine
“Faim d’échanges” in Nancy and “Echanges gourmands” in Metz
Faim d’échanges in Nancy and Echanges gourmands in Metz are not-to-be-missed events at the start of each academic year for international students and researchers who want to build lasting links with the citizens of Nancy and Metz.
Organised by the Crous Lorraine, the Grand Nancy’s metropolitan area and the Eurométropole de Metz, the cities of Nancy and Metz, the student associations Erasmus Student Network (ESN)-Nancy and Comme un poisson dans l’eau (CUPE)-Metz, these events offer international students and researchers in the cities of Nancy and Metz the opportunity to gather for a friendly meal in a local resident’s home.
These events will take place over 2 days:
- a festive reception of all the participants in this exchange at the City Hall in :
- Nancy on Friday, November 7 (welcome speech, cocktail reception, selfie box, and concert)
- Metz on Saturday, November 22 (as part of Metz l’étudiante, a program to improve student living conditions in Metz)
- and a friendly family lunch on:
- Sunday, November 9 in Nancy
- Sunday November 23 in Metz
How to take part in ‘Faim d’échange’ in Nancy?
The Grand Nancy’s international students who wish to participate in “Faim d’échanges” must complete the registration form available below, which will be open from September 29 to November 2:
How to take part in ‘Échanges gourmands’ in METZ?
The Metz metropolitan area’s international students who wish to participate in “Échanges gourmands” must complete the registration form available below, which will be open from October 13 to November 16:
Pause-café, Pause papiers
Support for your procedures during the start of the school year:
During the “Pause-café, Pause papiers” event organised at the start of each academic year by the CROUS and the Assurance Maladie our Welcome Desk team will be present to provide you with information and assist you with administrative procedures and settling in Lorraine (in particular visa validation and residence permit application) on:
Wednesday September 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Résidence Médreville (Laxou)
Feel free to come and meet us and ask us any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you there!
« Pause-café, Pause-papiers » schedule
Before your arrival, don’t miss out on the UL PREP’ DAYS !
In June, the international Welcome Desk of the Université de Lorraine will hold a series of webinars (in French and English) presenting the essential steps you need to take to prepare for your stay in France.
Prep’ Days 1:
- Tuesday June 17 in French – 2 to 3pm UTC+2
- Thursday June 19 in English – 2 to 3pm UTC+2
Program:
- Welcome Desk presentation
- Budget
- Accommodation
- Visa
Prep’ Days 2:
- Tuesday June 24 in French – 2 to 3pm UTC+2
- Thursday June 26 in English – 2 to 3pm UTC+2 sur
Program:
- Insurance – Health Insurance
- Essential documents
- Reception service
This content may also interest you
-
Our student associations welcome you
There are numerous student associations at the Université de Lorraine. Some of them are more specifically dedicated to international students.
Read more -
Joining the Buddy System
A “buddy” is a tandem made up of a local student and an international student on an exchange program or free mover.
Read more
Thanks to the Buddy System, you can meet a local student who will guide you throughout your stay in France.
