France

I am originally from Ukraine, from a small town near Kyiv. 

In 2019, I was accepted into Kyiv Polytechnic University to study applied mathematics and finance, a difficult but fulfilling path. Life in Ukraine presented its own set of challenges, such as corruption in the education system and facing gender discrimination both at school and university. Despite these obstacles, I pursued my dreams with determination. Little did I know how much my life would change during those four years of study. 

The Imagine Fellows Programme, co-founded in October 2021 by Adrien Nussenbaum, an HEC Paris graduate and the co-founder and joint-CEO of Mirakl, is all about giving a helping hand to students from places hit hard by conflict. 

Now that you have researched and organised your student visa for your studies in France, it’s time to find out what the rules are when it comes to working.  

This time last year, I received an email from the HEC Paris admissions team confirming my admission and scholarship. I was super excited and happy but confused and lost at the same time. It had only been two days since I had settled in Germany after spending months in a refugee camp, uncertain of what the future held when I left my home country after the Taliban took over. 

I had to decide whether to stay in Germany and build a new home or move to France to pursue a master’s degree. 

An online platform has been launched to help international students, PhD candidates and researchers prepare to study abroad in France.

The platform, known as the Online Welcome Desk, offers a detailed and personalised road map for students to complete the steps required to move to France. The platform was previously called the E-International Welcome Office.

The platform can find and tailor the administrative journey for each individual based on their specific circumstances by drawing from a secure and reliable database of information.

France is a popular choice in Europe for international students, thanks to its extensive range of higher education institutions offering diverse courses. There are more than 100 universities in France and many more private and specialised higher education institutions to choose from, so students have ample options. Studying in French can also provide future job prospects, as it is the second most spoken language globally.

France is already a popular destination for international students. Not only does the country offer interesting history, incredible cuisine and beautiful landmarks, but it is also the home of many leading universities and international companies (such as L’Oréal). French also happens to be the third most common language in the business world.