A mosaic of multilingual activities to get to know one another better!
13 October 2026
Designed to facilitate the integration of new international engineering students from all five continents, the workshop also raises awareness of the intercultural challenges involved in international mobility. It helps students develop the skills they need to work in an increasingly globalised world.
Following the Orientation Week and Integration Weekend from Student Office, the Mosaïk workshop is one of the initiatives designed to welcome and integrate new international engineering students from all five continents. Around 140 new students, most of whom had joined the second year of the program, had the opportunity to interact with more than 210 students from the same cohort who were already studying at the school.
The workshop also aimed to raise all students’ awareness of the intercultural challenges associated with international mobility and forms an integral part of the engineering education offered at Télécom Paris. Its aims are to:
- Raise awareness of the diversity of the school’s students;
- Get to know one another by communicating in different languages;
- Help their international peers to settle in, in turn;
- Take part in a supervised intercultural exchange.
Mosaïk group activities
Following icebreaker activities in small groups bringing together students from diverse backgrounds, participants exchanged ideas using world maps and discussion topics that encouraged them to explore both the differences and commonalities between their personal journeys and the institutions and cultures they came from. They were encouraged to alternate between French and English and to facilitate communication within their groups.
Discussions in pairs
Students then paired up to share an experience, a trip or an interest they wanted to talk about, whether related to their academic studies, sport, volunteering or other aspects of their lives. One student spoke while the other listened actively and could ask questions. Participants were free to choose the language they wished to speak in (French, English, Spanish, etc.). After 15 minutes, students formed new pairs and switched roles, with the speaker becoming the listener and vice versa.
Get to know one another better, understand cultural differences and broaden your horizons!
- “It was really great and I liked it so much.”
- “I really enjoyed this session. It was entertaining and enriching, thank you so much.”
- “I laughed and had good talks.”
- “Get rid of my social anxiety.”
- “Meeting French people and discussing their lifestyle here in France.”
- “I met some really interesting classmates. Maybe I’ll never have an opportunity to talk with them without this activity.”
- “I felt included in student life somehow while connecting and ‘mingling’.”
- “I have learned a lot about French culture and maybe I feel a little bit more comfortable now.”
- “I gained a better understanding of the MACS track programme (its tips and challenges).”
- “I gained insights into my future options at Télécom Paris and for my international exchange.”
- “Motivation for the international mobility in third year.”
- “I improved my understanding of the world.”
- “I gained quite a lot of practical knowledge of cultural contexts I was not previously familiar with.”
- “Meet new people, challenge their stereotypes and cultural biases.”
- “Develop confidence in French.”
- “It was really great and I’m looking forward to continuing my discussions later outside of class.”
The discussions between French and international students helped them build connections, practise different languages, discover shared interests and broaden their horizons by exploring different cultures, practices and perspectives.
The workshop also helped students become more aware of the skills they were developing, including active listening, open-mindedness, intercultural mediation, appreciation of diversity and the ability to recognise and challenge stereotypes.
This workshop helps welcome and integrate new international engineering students. It contributes to fostering an international culture on campus and promotes greater mutual understanding between French and international students.
This openness to diversity, along with the ability to share experiences and skills, will be invaluable throughout their future professional careers!
Photo album
Photographs Claude Allafort, Melania Burgelis, Christine Gallet, Télécom Paris