Welcome Days

The Welcome Days, integration days for international students, take place twice a year: in September and in January. During this period, the University offers a program rich in discovery and conviviality. Freemovers and exchange students can take advantage of these days to discover the University, the city of Lille, and the French culture. 

For this year 2024, Welcome Days will be held from January to early February. On the program: cultural visits (exhibitions, Lille, etc.), workshops, social events, an outing to the ice rink, world culture evenings (Lunar New Year!), and other festive events... aimed at international students, but to which everyone is welcome! Find out what the Maison Internationale and its partners have in store for you...

Welcome Days - January and February 2024

You have just arrived in Lille and you would like to know all the best tips to enjoy you new life in this city?

The Maison Internationale's team encourages you to join us for an English guided tour of the city center, to help you find your way around and discover its most emblematic places. We will reveal some of our favorite addresses, so you can make the most of life in Lille!

Sign up and join us on Tuesday January 9th, from 5pm to 6.30pm: https://shorturl.at/fyK57

Do you know what a "galette des rois" is?

As soon as the festive season is over, it is already time to get together again for a galette, stuffed either with apple or frangipane! Which team will you be on? There is a lucky charm  hidden in every galette: whoever falls on it will be elected king or queen!

We invite you to come and taste it at Maison Internationale on Wednesday, January 10th at 5pm!

It's easy to sign up: https://shorturl.at/nwyEM

For a few more days, the Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, a key cultural place in Lille, is hosting "Jef Aérosol Stories", a retrospective exhibition dedicated to Jef Aérosol, an international figure in street art.

And good news! The Maison Internationale invites you to a guided tour that will take you into the world of this artist, considered as one of the leaders and pioneers of Street Art!

On Saturday January 13th at 11.10am, you will discover the life and world of this multi-talented artist.

Places are limited, so only register if you are certain to come!

Registration link: https://shorturl.at/kEFY5

Just arrived in Lille? Now is the perfect time to find out more about everything the city and the University of Lille have to offer!

On Wednesday January 17th at 12:30pm, the Maison Internationale's team will introduce you to its various missions (weekly events and administrative support) and give you tips and tricks to help you get used to your new life in France and at the University!

Register now to take part: https://shorturl.at/efrDS

To celebrate the International Day of Italian Cuisines, the Maison Internationale is taking you on a trip to Italy to warm up the winter in Lille!

We have put together a great program for you: Italian food tastings, quizz, film and many other activities around Italian culture... 

Don't miss out on this festive event! Join us at the Maison Internationale on Wednesday January 17th at 5pm and register here: https://shorturl.at/DOW29

It is still time to wish ourselves a Happy New Year... And this time, with music!

The Lille University Orchestra (L'OUL for its French acronym) has put together a wonderful musical program to wish you a happy new year in a superb venue: the Nouveau Siècle auditorium! You will appreciate the venue's incredible acoustics and the talent of the students will blow you away for sure!

See you on Saturday, January 20th at 8pm. To be sure of a place offered by the Direction Culture, register early: https://shorturl.at/drW24

Cheese... One of the main symbols of French culture!

Whether smelly or not, there are thousands of varieties of cheese! The Ulysse association and the Maison Internationale invite you to taste a few and learn more about this delicious specialty!

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday January 24th, from 6:30 to 9.30pm, at Café Ulysse (Pont de Bois).

It's easy to sign up: just send a message to the association on Insta or Facebook, or contact Maxime on 06 63 74 86 15!

Alchemists, scientists, witches and magicians, you are invited by the Maison Internationale and the Direction Culture to the event :

Un goût du paysage (A Taste of the Landscape), Friday January 26 from 12 to 4pm at the Maison Internationale.

Carrot, walnut, beet? What is the shape of their flower, leaf or seed? What colors are they? The artist Tsama Do Paço ( @arpenteusetactile ) in residence at the University of Lille, invites you to share a colorful gourmet meal. Come and discover the colors hidden in edible plants. After experiencing their taste, you'll be able to extract the colors from vegetables, fruits, spices and a few surprises.

Program :

Free meal for 10 people on reservation from 12pm, followed by a workshop transforming the plants eaten into vegetable inks and paints, until 4pm.

Fancy a afternoon ice skating?

Put on your best gloves and join us for some international fun! We look forward to seeing you on Saturday January 27th at 3pm at the Wasquehal skating rink to show off your figure skating skills!

Please note: for your own safety, we advise you to register only if you already have some basic skating experience!

Registration form: https://shorturl.at/rQTU0

Craving a croissant?

Discover this very French tradition at Café Ulysse on Wednesday January 31st from 8am to 9:30am.

The Ulysse association and the Maison Internationale are offering you breakfast to get your day off to a good start! But also to chat with other international students who, like you, will be living in Lille for a while! It is the perfect opportunity to get to know each other and enjoy a delicious meal!

To join us, just send a message to the association on Insta or Facebook, or contact Maxime on 06 63 74 86 15!

Have you ever tasted this French specialty, coming straight from Brittany? With butter, sugar, jam or chocolate... crepes come in a variety of flavors to suit all tastes!

Come to the Maison Internationale during your lunch break, on Thursday February 1st at 12pm, to enjoy one (or many!) crêpes made with love by the team!

To register for this gourmet event: https://shorturl.at/qsO57

With a little advance notice, celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Maison Internationale, on Tuesday February 6th at 5pm!

We will be celebrating the transition to the Year of the Dragon! A not-to-be-missed event ! It will also be the perfect opportunity to round off Welcome Days in style with a lot of activities: chopstick contest, calligraphy, games, quizzes, snacks...

Registration link: https://shorturl.at/orxNU

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