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France Alumni UK is a network for British and international students based in the UK who have studied, or are presently studying, in the French higher education system. Administered by Campus France UK – the office of the French Embassy in charge of student mobility – the new network presents members with a range of support initiatives, invitations to networking events and employment opportunities.
The France Alumni UK launch event started with a photo exhibition and competition at the Institut français du Royaume-Uni in London. Alumni entered the best picture they had taken during their time in France.
Following the exhibition, a reception was hosted at the French Residence in London. The reception was attended by more than 80 guests, the majority of whom were alumni, but also included representatives of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Campus France, and French and British higher education institutions.
At the event, speakers highlighted the importance of cultural exchange between the two nations, and how Franco-British relations can be strengthened through higher education.
Gerrit Van Rossum, chargé d’affaires at the French Embassy, opened the ceremony by highlighting that higher education institutions are “key actors” in the friendship between the two nations. He noted that, in the past two years alone – despite the pandemic – more than 4,000 students from the UK chose to study in France.
“By confronting yourselves with another country and another culture, another language, you are entangling your life with France and, by doing so, you are becoming first-hand actors of this relationship,” Van Rossum said. “More than actors: ambassadors. Those who went to France know how important and life-changing this experience still is to them. Today is about sharing these experiences.”
Laurent Toulouse, deputy director for higher education and research at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Donatienne Hissard, executive director of Campus France, highlighted the importance of upholding the UK’s strong link with France through the France Alumni network.
Next, Archippus Sturrock, cultural advisor to UK Parliament, patron of the event, and Franco-British Young Leader, promised those in attendance that making the “leap of faith” to live and study in France was one that would be rewarded in kind, offering an experience that would never leave them. “I truly believe that there is no greater intellectual or spiritual pursuit in this world than to step beyond our horizons and immerse ourselves in a new language or a different culture,” he said.
Studying in France is an opportunity to study a diverse curriculum and develop critical thinking skills, said Clare Siviter, doctor in French studies and senior lecturer at Bristol University, alumni patron of the event and Franco-British Young Leader. “I learned a lot about French culture but also a lot about other cultures too,” Siviter said. “Regardless of which career path we as individuals choose, the better we understand each other, the better our world should be.” Echoing the other speakers’ sentiments, she underlined the importance of student mobility and its capacity for establishing lasting fraternity between cultures.
Following the speeches, patrons awarded the two laureates of the photo competition. Next, Célimène Daudet, renowned pianist and Franco-British Young Leader, performed a short recital. The evening ended with a drinks reception and networking opportunity.
The event marked the start of a series of meetings with alumni from every nation of the UK.
about France Alumni UK.
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