Discover the highlights of student life during the 43rd week of 2023, where bold initiatives and captivating challenges were at the heart of the action. Leaving France for Africa, dive into a retrospective of the hot topics that animated the student world.
Keywords: News, student, press review.
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Firstly, Sud Ouest shares the difficulties faced by three students newly arrived in Bordeaux, France. Lynda and Nada, who came from Algeria in September, encountered scams and indecent proposals during their search for accommodation. The exorbitant prices and lack of availability overshadowed their student experience. Indeed, the student rental market in Bordeaux is largely insufficient, with only 10,500 accommodations for 65,000 students, creating a saturation in the market. On the other hand, Mathys, an 18-year-old high school graduate, also struggled to find affordable housing in Bordeaux. Despite three months of intense searching, he only found accommodation in September thanks to the ACLEF association, which facilitates housing access for students. This year, only 2,900 accommodations were available for newcomers, increasing the pressure on the city’s real estate market.
L’Etudiant then takes us into the world of work-study programs. This learning mode, which combines theory in a training center and practice in a company, offers many training opportunities, from CAP to master’s level. However, it should be noted that work-study is not suitable for everyone. It requires determination and motivation to put knowledge into practice, as well as qualities such as curiosity, open-mindedness, and adaptability.
According to Sophie de Tarlé, Editor-in-Chief of Figaro Étudiant, it is crucial to spark young people’s interest in sciences to ensure France’s future. Despite France’s tradition of excellence, engineering schools struggle to recruit students. It is therefore urgent to promote these fields and train teachers to make them more attractive from an early age. It is also important to encourage women to pursue scientific studies, as they are still underrepresented in this field. Sophie de Tarlé defends the French model of engineering schools accessible after two years of preparatory classes, while calling for vigilance in the face of post-baccalaureate sector developments.
Capital reports an unexpected announcement that has caused consternation among students at the Maison de la Corée in Paris. Due to the Olympic Games, the management of the Cité Universitaire campus has asked students to return their studio keys by 30 June 2024 at the latest. This decision has raised concerns among resident students, particularly foreigners who wonder where they will find accommodation during this busy period and how it might affect their studies. Fortunately, the French government has announced that these students will be relocated and will receive financial assistance to cover transport and moving costs to their new residence.
Great news is announced by the University of Picardie: the opening of the 2024 campaign of the France Excellence Eiffel program. This program, launched by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, offers international students the opportunity to apply for attractive scholarships at the master’s and doctoral levels. The University of Picardie Jules Verne has been participating in this program since 1999 and offers generous monthly scholarships as well as coverage of essential services such as transport, insurance, and housing search. All you have to do is meet the application criteria. Applications must be submitted before 11 December 2023 for UPJV.
Les Echos then takes us into the realm of charity and humanism. In France, prestigious schools like Sciences Po, Dauphine, and Les Ponts offer programs to help refugee students integrate. These programs provide courses in French, English, science, and computer science, as well as support for writing a CV or cover letter. Sciences Po even offers a specific access program that allows refugee students to directly enter the first year of the undergraduate cycle. These initiatives aim to provide educational and professional opportunities to people who have fled their home countries due to conflicts or persecution.
The article from L’Express informs us about the financial difficulties faced by many French students. According to a survey conducted by the Observatory of Student Life, nearly one in two students reports having financial problems, and 28% of them had to work during their studies to make ends meet. High tuition fees, the cost of housing, food, and transport are all factors contributing to this difficult situation. Some students are forced to give up their studies or go into debt to continue. In response to this reality, measures have been taken to improve access to scholarships and financial aid, notably with the reform of scholarships based on social criteria and the implementation of the « 1 young person, 1 solution » scheme aimed at promoting youth employment.
Finally, great news for all Africans! Cio MAG announces the arrival of the Esseyi platform. The Esseyi platform was created to solve the orientation problems of African students and make African higher education institutions more visible. It offers an innovative digital solution allowing students to register online, reserve their place in the institutions of their choice in Africa, and prepare their journey. The platform provides privileged access to more than 10,000 training programs in 2,000 public and private institutions in Africa. The goal is to enhance African education and promote the development of local communities. The reason for this platform is to showcase African institutions, as despite a quality educational offer in Africa, many young people prefer to study abroad. About 4.8% of sub-Saharan students choose international mobility, with France, the United States, and South Africa as the main destinations. African higher education institutions, numbering 40,000, are often overlooked due to their lack of visibility compared to international programs.
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