Activities at the Maison Internationale
SEPTEMBER 2025
[WELCOME DAYS] The right meetings for the right start
New to France? We've got you covered!
To help you settle in and adapt to your new university life, the University of Lille and its partners are pulling out all the stops! Health, equality, sustainable development, culture, languages, professional integration... all the services are there to welcome, inform and support you. And that's not all: Campus France, Health Insurance, Ilevia and many others will also be on hand to answer all your questions!
See you on Thursday, September 4th, from 11am to 3pm at the Maison Internationale.
And that's not all! Take advantage of a guided tour of the campus to discover your new environment. Two departures are planned:
At 12pm and at 2pm, from the Maison Internationale.
[WELCOME DAYS] Place your bets!
Want to try your luck in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere?
Join us for a friendly casino evening where the pleasure of playing is the key!
On the program:
- Poker, blackjack, roulette: several tables for all levels
- Free dummy chips (fake tokens) for fun, no pressure*
- Laughter, meeting new people
- Little surprises throughout the evening!
La Maison Internationale
Thursday, September 4th (registration required)
From 5pm to 8pm
Whether you're a beginner or a keen strategist, come and share a good time around the game.
Between bluffing, luck and good humor... it's up to you!
*Guaranteed fun without spending a penny.
[WELCOME DAYS] Searching for accommodation in France
You’re just arrived in France and you’re searching for a accommodation ? This workshop is perfect for you ! We will present you the best tools to find an accommodation in France, as well as tips for finding your home.
Monday, September 8th
5 p.m to 6 p.m
The Maison Internationale, Building A4 (Cité Scientifique)
Register here: https://shorturl.at/BsBhv
[WELCOME DAYS] Echoes from Elsewhere
Are you a student at the University of Lille and want to keep a unique souvenir of your adventure in France?
Take part in our travel journal workshop, specially designed for international students!
Objective? Personalise a creative notebook to collect your memories: photos, tickets, drawings, anecdotes, highlights, and everything else that made your stay an unforgettable experience.
Program:
· Materials provided (travel journal, paper, pens, decorations, etc.)
· Creative advice and step-by-step guidance
· Friendly atmosphere and cultural exchanges
· A moment to (re)discover France through your own eyes
Date: Tuesday, September 9th
Time: 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Location: La Maison Internationale, Building A4 (Cité Scientifique)
Limited number of places, registration required for this workshop!
[WELCOME DAYS] Get to know my university
New to the University of Lille? Do you feel lost between the university's various services, platforms and applications? Don't panic!
The Relai Orientation and the Maison Internationale are here to help! We'll join you in a workshop to help you get to know the tools and supports the university has to offer, so you can better adapt to your new university life in France. You'll also get to know and share time with other internationals and make new acquaintances!
Enjoy discovering all the best practices to succeed in your studies at ease!
Choose the date that suits you:
- Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, September 15th, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
At the Maison Internationale
Register here: https://shorturl.at/CQRIN
[WELCOMEDAYS] La M.I fait la fête !
The return of "Campus en fête"!
As part of the JIVÉ programme, come and enjoy a festive afternoon around the Maison Internationale
This time, specially set aside for you, will be an opportunity to take advantage of a whole host of free activities:
- Open-air games: pétanque tournament, mölkky, table football, chamboule-tout...
- Glitter make-up to make you shine
- Speed talking to meet new people
- Gourmet snack to treat yourself
...and many other surprises!
This will also be the perfect time to discover (and why not join) L.I.S.A. - Lille International Student Association, which will be inaugurating its Ressourcerie: the best plan for moving to Lille at a low price ️
And of course, the International House team will be there to answer all your questions about student mobility and the services on offer.
Meet us at the Maison Internationale, from 12pm to 4.30pm.
We'll be waiting for you with a smile!
[WELCOME DAYS] Lille on Wheels
This Saturday, September 13th at 2p.m, hop on a bike (no need to bring your own, we'll lend it to you) for an original guided tour organized by the @legrandhuit association. For around two hours, let yourself be led by a passionate guide who will show you what he loves most about his city: from emblematic historic sites to more unusual corners, via the banks of Lille.
The route includes around ten stops to take time to explore, listen to surprising anecdotes... and even take on some fun little cycling challenges!
Of course, you have to know how to pedal without the little wheels... otherwise you'll get lost as soon as you turn the first corner!
A perfect moment to combine culture, sport and conviviality, while rediscovering Lille in a different way.
Limited number of places, registration required for this activity!
[WELCOME DAYS] Eveything about my Visa
It's very important to understand your rights and responsibilities once you have your student visa. This workshop will give you a better understanding of the right to work, travel, etc., if you are in possession of a student visa.
Date: Monday, September 15th
Time: 5 p.m to 6 p.m
Location: La Maison Internationale, Building A4 (Cité Scientifique)
Register here: https://shorturl.at/VjcFJ
[WELCOME DAYS] Big Welcoming Night - The back-to-school party you don’t want to miss!
The most awaited event of the new international academic year is back… and it’s going to be unforgettable!
Join us at the Tripostal, in the heart of Lille, on Tuesday, September 16th from 5:30 to 11:30 pm, for the Big Welcoming Night: a festive evening to meet other students, dance, and celebrate your arrival at the University of Lille!
What's on the programme ?
- DJ set by La Sono de Polytech
- Gitter bar stand by Again Agency
- Guided tours of the “Pom pom pidou” exhibition by Lille3000 at 5:30 and 7 pm, as part of the Fiesta! festival
- A surprise-filled tombola
- Speed talking sessions to meet new people
- Free buffet (yes, we’ve got your appetite covered!)
- And many more surprises...
Limited spots available, don’t wait to sign up! Come join us for an evening full of fun, glitter, and good vibes to kick off your new academic year the best way possible!
[WELCOME DAYS] Guided tours of Lille
New to Lille? Now's the time to join us and discover Lille's old town together!
The Maison Internationale team offers you a guided tour in English or in French to help you get your bearings and spot the city's landmarks. It's also an opportunity to get to know other internationals who, like you, have just arrived in Lille!
At the end of the tour, you'll leave with tips and recommendations on how to make the most of your stay!
Sign up and join us on Wednesday September 17, from 5pm to 6.30pm
[WELCOME DAYS] Celtic Craic
Have you always dreamed of visiting Ireland, or are you simply curious about its culture? Then come and celebrate the Celtic spirit with us on Thursday, September 18th at 5pm!
You'll be able to discover the fascinating Irish legends, take part in a quiz to test your knowledge of this thousand-faceted country, try your luck at Irish dancing in a festive atmosphere, and savor typical specialties that will awaken your taste buds.
And that's not all: a few surprises will be waiting for you throughout the evening to spice up the experience even more. Whether you're coming on your own or with friends, get ready for a friendly, exotic and energetic time.
So, are you ready for an Irish adventure? Don’t forget to register, we look forward to seeing you at the Maison Internationale!
[WELCOME DAYS] Capture the Clue
Want to discover Lille in a different way? Join us on Saturday, September 20th at 2pm for a fun and original photo rally in the heart of the city!
Solo or with friends, set off on an adventure through the streets of downtown Lille. Armed with your camera or smartphone, you'll have to find and capture a series of iconic buildings, unusual details and hidden treasures that make up the charm of the capital of Flanders.
Objective: explore, observe and have fun!
A little surprise awaits you on arrival!
[WELCOME DAYS] Social security registration
Health is an essential part of your stay. This workshop will give you all the information you need about joining the Social Security system and basic information about access to healthcare in France.
Date: Monday, September 22th
Time: 5 p.m to 6 p.m
Location: La Maison Internationale, Building A4 (Cité Scientifique)
Register here: https://shorturl.at/TuE7f
[WELCOME DAYS] The Polyglot Book Club is back for a very special edition!
For the first time, it's taking up residence at the Maison Internationale for a multilingual literary encounter, friendly and open to all.
- Why take part?
Because all readings count: novels, comics, manga, short stories... Whatever the format, what counts is what you feel like sharing!
And best of all: you don't have to be an expert or perfectly bilingual. This club is a space for listening, discovery, and dialogue between languages and cultures.
- On the program:
A moment of exchange around works chosen by the participants
Discussions in several languages (mainly French and English, with the possibility of expressing oneself in other languages as desired).
A friendly, no-pressure atmosphere, where everyone can talk, listen or simply discover.
Date: September 23th, 2025
Location: Maison Internationale - Bâtiment A4 (Cité Scientifique)
Time: 5pm
- For whom?
Anyone who's curious, loves reading, languages or intercultural encounters. No level required, just the desire to exchange!
[WELCOME DAYS] Cheese the Night!
Can't wait to get a taste of French gastronomy? Then it's impossible to overlook a well-known specialty... cheese!
A genuine institution, there are over 1,000 varieties to choose from: @associationulyssedelille3 invites you to taste some of them!
Smelly or plain, creamy or hard, you're sure to find what you're looking for among the selection on offer. A great moment of sharing and discoveries between internationals in perspective!
See you on Wednesday, September 24th from 6 to 9 pm, at Café Ulysse (Pont de Bois).
To register, send a message to the association on Insta or Facebook, or contact Maxime on +33 6 63 74 86 15!
[WELCOME DAYS] Serve & Snack
Join us on Saturday September 27th for an afternoon of relaxation, fun and sunshine among students!
On the program:
- Friendly picnic - bring your own lunch or something to share
- Beach volleyball in chill or competitive mode, the choice is yours
- Relaxed atmosphere, music and good humor guaranteed.
Whether you're there to score points or just enjoy a nice moment with the others, this event is made for you!
Location: Citadelle of Lille
Start: 12pm
Register here https://shorturl.at/BiJEJ
Remember to bring a towel, water, sun cream... and your best smash!
[WELCOME DAYS] Tastes Without Borders
To round off Welcome Days in style, we invite you to an intercultural evening of discovery, exchange and conviviality!
Tuesday, September 30th
At 5pm
The Maison Internationale
On the program:
- Bring a culinary specialty from your country (if you wish) and share it with others
- Take part in entertainment based on world cultures: quizzes, games, music, workshops and lots of surprises!
Whether you come with your hands full or just with the desire to taste and exchange, this evening is the perfect opportunity to meet other international students and celebrate the richness of our cultures!
So, ready to take your taste buds and your spirit on a journey?
Register now : https://shorturl.at/CDVBQ
Must-see events...
Welcome days
The welcome days take place twice a year, in September and January on the various campuses of the university.
During this period, the university offers a program rich in discoveries and conviviality.
Students who come individually and on an exchange program will be able to take advantage of these days to discover the university, the city of Lille, and French culture.
More info about the Welcome Days here! https://international.univ-lille.fr/en/maison-internationale/welcome-days/
International Student Week !
With 9,500 students coming from all over the world at the gates of Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom, the international openness of the University of Lille is much more than a specificity. This asset and this state of mind is what International Student Week celebrates and celebrates every year in November.
Information meetings, testimonials, conferences, café-languages, photo exhibitions, gastronomy ... For a week, let's take advantage of the many meetings, discuss and exchange together in a friendly atmosphere, get to know each other and discover the partner universities of the University of Lille. Students, staff, teachers, researchers, all mobilized for the occasion and to enthusiastically propagate the dynamism and intellectual influence of the University of Lille!
Student associations
The University of Lille is home to more than 125 nuggets: associations that cover multiple themes and that are anchored in many components and on all campuses.
Many associations with an international vocation exist and welcome members and volunteers each year.
Download the directory of student associations of the University of Lille