Member of the ATHENA team (Germany)
Period of stay: March 24 - March 27, 2026

My first Staff Week under the motto "Enhancing Student Experience through Support Services" at the University of Orléans was characterized by numerous highlights. The program was not only culturally extremely exciting, but also offered valuable insights behind the scenes of various support services at the university as well as an intensive and enriching exchange between the participants.

The first day began with an official welcome from the President of the University and the introduction of the heads of the student support services. In addition to a presentation on the university and the history of Orléans, we were given a tour of the campus, which included a visit to the sports facilities, libraries and cultural center. The first job shadowing took place in the afternoon. We were able to choose two institutions in advance - I chose the Health Service and Career Support.

We received a warm welcome at the Health Service. The staff had prepared a short quiz and a presentation. A multidisciplinary team consisting of four nurses, five psychologists, three social workers and three doctors works on site to support students with a wide range of issues. In addition, the Health Service regularly organizes events such as the "Health Day" or information campaigns on the subject of vaccinations. In addition, two midwives, a dentist, a nutritionist and a beauty therapist can also be consulted at regular intervals. The aim of this broad range of services is to promote the well-being of students at various levels.

The day ended with a reception by the mayor at the Groslot Hotel, a historic cultural monument that is used as a prestigious venue for civil weddings and receptions in the city, and a joint dinner.

The following day, all participants presented the support structures of their respective home universities. This revealed both similarities and differences. In addition to my presentation on the University of Siegen, universities from Poland, Maribor, the Czech Republic, Romania and Ukraine were also presented.

In the afternoon, a cultural program was on the agenda, including a visit to the Château de Cheverny. There are numerous castles in the region around Orléans - this one is known, among other things, for having served as the inspiration for locations in "Tintin". Today, the castle is mainly used for tourism, although part of it is still inhabited by the owners. An interesting historical aspect is that the Château de Cheverny served as a hiding place for art treasures from the Louvre during the Second World War, including the Mona Lisa. There are also around 100 hunting dogs living on the castle grounds.

On the third day, the institution "CROUS" presented itself, which is comparable to the German student union. Topics discussed included the awarding of scholarships, the canteen facilities and the housing situation in Orléans. It was particularly interesting to learn that students with a scholarship can receive meals for just one euro. In contrast to BAföG in Germany, this financial support does not have to be paid back in France. Afterwards, we took part in a yoga session, which is also part of the university offer and is well received by the students.

The second round of job shadowing at the Career Service followed in the afternoon. This institution not only supports students in their later career choices, but also accompanies them throughout their studies - for example, with possible study reorientation, with study advice at schools or with information about degree courses. It became clear that many students struggle at times with their choice of study; here they are also supported by psychological counseling.

As I work with international students myself, it was particularly interesting for me to find out how their transition into the job market is organized. The university only offers a few purely English-language programs, which is why most international students already have a good knowledge of French and therefore have fewer language barriers when looking for a job. This was also confirmed by an interview with an international student representative from Chad: French is widely spoken in many African countries, which makes it easier to enter the French job market. Many international students also aim to gain work experience in France after graduating.

Also in the afternoon, we visited the campus radio station and its premises. There we learned that the program is very popular and well equipped. We then visited the "Ouaf Campus". This was offered for the first time at the university as part of a project with dogs. Students and staff were allowed to bring their dogs and various activities took place throughout the day.

We were also given a guided tour of a library which, in addition to traditional learning opportunities, also offers innovative facilities such as a "Nap Room" for short breaks, hammocks or even a bicycle on which you can stay active while reading. In the evening, a concert by a French pop musician was offered as part of the cultural program.

On the last day, we reviewed the week together and shared our impressions. All in all, it was an instructive and interesting time, during which we were able to take a look behind the scenes at the university. The University of Orléans offers students a wide range of courses, even if it is sometimes a challenge to make this sufficiently visible. International exchange offers great potential for learning from each other and adopting best practices.

Finally, I would like to thank the organizers of the Staff Week in Orléans as well as Madeleine Höfer, who supported me in Siegen with the organizational and formal aspects.