The University welcomes new refugee students

After Alain Beretz expressed his will to join efforts with the City of Strasbourg, 25 students - mostly from Syria and Irak - wishing to learn French enrolled an intensive language programme at the University. The International Institute for French Studies (IEEF) is now preparing to welcome many new refugee students.“Fifty more students will join us; that is 75 people in total. This was made possible thanks to the financial support of the University.”  IIEF director Liliane Koecher explains. A significant change occurred at the start of the second semester: refugee students are not grouped in the same class anymore but can now attend different classes according to their level of French, like any student of the Institute.  It enables them to improve their language skills quicker and helps them connecting with other students. “We were not able to proceed this way in November, since they arrived in the middle of the semester”, Liliane Koecher points out. After a twelve-week course, students will receive a university diploma in French as a foreign language, which will allow them to pursue their higher education if they wish.  Unistra vice-president Mathieu Schneider in charge of the matter welcomes the reactivity and coordination demonstrated by the IIEF, the International University House and the Crous, which allowed students to settle in at Unistra in the best possible conditions.  A “welcome evening” organised by students and the Alsace-Syria association is planned soon.