I.S.T. stand at the "Experience France - Market of Opportunities
Students, staff and interested parties who wanted to find out more about France, mobility opportunities and Franco-German partnerships.
Objectives and preparation
The aim of our stand was to inform international students about the academic, cultural and practical aspects of a stay or study programme in France and to draw attention to the support services offered by the IST. In preparation, we compiled information material, collected experiences from students who had already been to France and coordinated our contacts at the IST.
Realisation and interaction
The Market of Opportunities offered a wide range of information stands about France, including partner institutions, departments, student groups and organisations such as the Educational Exchange Service or the German-French Society Duisburg. There were also offers such as the bibliobus, French media, UniSport activities (Tour de France themes) and a crêpes food truck on site.
Our IST stand was well attended throughout and served as a central point of contact for students with questions about:
- Study & internships in France
- Language courses & exchange programmes (Erasmus+)
- Housing situation and life on site
- Financing options (scholarships, funding programmes)
- Everyday experiences and cultural tips
Many interested parties deliberately sought to talk to students who had already spent time in France, which led to lively discussions and a lively exchange. Personal experience reports about studying in France, challenges in everyday life and concrete advice on applications and preparation were particularly in demand.
Highlights & positive feedback
- High presence of international students: Students with an interest in France or a stay abroad came to us in particular.
- In-depth exchange: Through direct experience reports at the stand, we were able to provide lively insights that went beyond mere information brochures.
- Networking: Many visitors used the stand to make contacts - both with us at the IST and with other students with similar interests.
- Supplementary offers: Activities such as the bibliobus or the crêpes stand created a pleasant, open atmosphere and attracted additional visitors, which also drew more attention to the IST stand.
Conclusion
The "Market of Opportunities" was a valuable success for the IST: we were able to reach numerous students, hold valuable discussions and further strengthen our network within the university. The direct, personal interaction with visitors showed how important such presence formats are for the international community. Overall, the day was an enriching experience - both in terms of content and organisation.
