Tag Archive for: Student Life

We hope to see many of you at the Cin’Ethique screenings, where films are shown in the magnificent anatomy lecture hall of the old Montpellier School of Medicine, and we invite you to participate in the roundtable discussions that follow.

"Save the date"!!

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Thursday, February8, 2024
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

The 800th-anniversary faluche, a gift from the medical students, will be displayed in the lobby of the Arnaud de Villeneuve Health Campus. The unveiling ceremony will take place on November 6, 2023. This intangible cultural heritage is being passed down; student tradition has never been more alive than at the world’s oldest medical school still in operation.

The World University Games are an international collegiate sports competition in which elite student-athletes compete. They are organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) every two years.

This season, the games will be held in Chengdu, China, and will bring together 6,000 elite student athletes from 120 countries competing in 18 different sports, from July 28 to August 8. 

The Faculty is proud to announce that one of its medical students, Romain Didelot, has been selected for the French national track and field team to compete! We sat down with him:

Can you tell us about your background, both in school and in sports?

“I started track and field at age 7, always with the same club in Montpellier, and my passion for the sport has never left me. Track and field—and later my decision to specialize in the long jump—has been a part of my personal life and has instilled in me discipline, a love of hard work, and the determination to push myself to new heights. After high school years marked by several national titles, as soon as I was accepted into the first year of medical school in Montpellier, I returned to the Philippidès Stadium, and since then, I’ve been doing my best to balance my medical studies with elite-level athletics. This requires daily organizational efforts to juggle classes, internships, studying, training, and competitions.”

What does this selection mean to you? 

“This selection for the World University Games is a reward for a busy but successful year. Academically, I’m entering my fifth year of medical school and am thus pursuing my main goal. On the athletic front, the results have also been strong: French University Indoor Long Jump Champion (Eaubonne, Jan. 2023) and French University Outdoor Long Jump Runner-Up (Salon-de-Provence, May 2023), FFA French Senior Indoor Champion (Miramas, February 2023), and bronze medalist at the FFA French Elite Indoor Championships (Clermont-Ferrand, February 2023).” 

Would you like to add anything? 

“I am particularly happy and honored to have been selected, and proud to represent the Montpellier School of Medicine and the University of Montpellier. I am also very proud to represent my city there, since I was born in Montpellier and have always lived there. And, by a twist of fate, I will be competing in Chengdu, one of Montpellier’s sister cities!”

This summer, the Montpellier Health Tutoring Association (ATSM) published a guide for international students. Available via a link provided at the bottom of this article, this guide covers many essential points about settling in France, as well as plenty of advice that may prove useful when pursuing a degree in health sciences.

Moving to a foreign country is never easy, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the various procedures and the assistance available to you. This guide is therefore intended to provide information to help international students get off to a good start this year.

Furthermore, since health-related programs are particularly demanding, it goes without saying that a good learning environment makes things easier for anyone pursuing these fields, especially given that many of our health-related students in Montpellier have completed part of their high school or college education outside of France.

The International Student Guide is intended to be comprehensive; however, the Vice President for Health, Social Services, and Student Support (VP SSA) at ATSM is available to answer any questions regarding the guide via email at vpssa.atsm@gmail.com

This guide consists of several sections:

  • administrative procedures,
  • everyday life, particularly in Montpellier,
  • The First Year in Health Sciences: Testimonials and Contact Information for International Student Organizations.

The ATSM has made this guide available via the following Drive link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QXf8MjVjjReJHWh94jjCszPElRBwk4Pe?usp=sharing

MAP Project

Students from the Montpellier Artistic Project (MAP) association invite you to join them in analyzing a scene from Godard’s film *Contempt* during the special exhibition by artist Sylvain Fraysse at the Historic Building of the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine. We met with them to discuss this unique project.

How did this project come about?

The“Camille” project was launched in 2022, born out of a desire among members of the Montpellier Artistic Project to introduce students at the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine to new art forms. The MAP’s 2021–2022 executive board reached out to the Regional Contemporary Art Fund (FRAC) with the aim of creating a joint project, and this led to a collaboration with Sylvain Fraysse, a visual artist, and Céline Mélissent, who is in charge of public engagement and the promotion of the FRAC’s collection.

 

What does this artistic experience entail for visitors?

The exhibition is a sensory experience of light and sound based on Jean-Luc Godard’s film *Contempt *. The artist uses the Dissection Room in the Historic Building of the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine to “dissect” a scene from the film. In this iconic scene, the director lists the parts of Camille’s body—one of the main characters, played by Brigitte Bardot—in the manner of a dissection. Sylvain Fraysse recreates the scene’s color filters using gelatin sheets on the dissection room’s windows and also splits the film’s original soundtrack into 24 frequencies. In this way, he dissects the very essence of the scene.

 

What exactly is MAP?

The “Montpellier Artistic Project” is a nonprofit organization under the French Law of 1901, founded in August 2020 by three medical students who wanted to organize artistic activities within the faculty.
Over the past three years, the MAP board has expanded, and we now offer a variety of workshops and activities across our four areas of focus: Applied Arts, Public Speaking, Literary Arts, and Culinary Arts. To this end, we provide materials and introductory sessions for various artistic practices, and we also organize art contests on our social media platforms, as well as a public speaking contest each semester.
You can find us through our mascot, a chameleon named Léon Art, on Facebook and on our Instagram account.

 

Why is this project important to you?

It is important to us because it allows us to bring the Faculty’s historic building to life by opening a room that has never before been open to the public, and thus gives the association a new boost by taking us beyond our usual workshops. We’ve learned a great deal from this project, and we hope students and visitors will enjoy it. Furthermore, we’re very proud to be part of Montpellier’s bid to become the 2028 Capital of Culture and to be able to contribute to the city’s cultural life. It’s a vibrant experience that brings students together.

 

What kind of support have you been able to gather?

We had the opportunity to work with Sylvain Fraysse and the FRAC through Céline Mélissent, who served as our primary point of contact during the development of this project. The project was selected to be part of Montpellier’s bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2028, which allowed us to receive financial support for the exhibition. The TaM supported us by allowing us to install posters at select tram and bus stops throughout the metropolitan area to promote the exhibition.
We also received support from the University of Montpellier (UM) through the Student Initiative Solidarity Fund (FSDIE) and the UM Arts and Culture Department—notably Eléonore Szturemski—as well as from the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine. We would like to extend a special thank you to Dean Isabelle Laffont and Professor Gérald Chanques for their support and logistical assistance.

 

Practical Information About the Exhibition

Historic Building of the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine
2 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine
34000 Montpellier

 

Exhibition open to the public from March 22 to April 18:
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Students participating in the guided tours during these open house days, on a self-guided tour.

On Tuesdays, guided tours will be led by students in the master’s program in cultural mediation at the Faculty of Education in Montpellier.
  • Tuesday, March 28, and April 4 and 11 at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 18, at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Additional mediation sessions offered by association members will be announced at a later date on the event’s Facebook page.

The DVC (Campus Life Office) regularly issues calls for projects called “ALIVE” to improve student life on the University of Montpellier campuses. These projects, developed in collaboration with students from each campus, give rise to original initiatives that are funded by the CVEC. In 2020, the Faculty responded to the call, leading to the creation of a secure bike shelter on the Arnaud de Villeneuve campus.

What are we talking about?

Alive consists of calls for proposals issued each year by the DVC (Campus Life Office) with clearly defined requirements:

“As part of the rollout of the CVEC*, the University of Montpellier has decided to launch the ALIVE call for projects—“Improving Student Living Spaces”—aimed at academic departments, schools, and institutes. The call for projects is aimed at creating or renovating spaces dedicated to student life on UM campuses, outside of academic facilities.”

The objectives of these calls for proposals are therefore to:

  • Promote a welcoming environment and enhance student life
  • Promote a better sense of community among students.

 

The 2020–2021 Project: A Secure Bike Shelter for the ADV Campus

In 2020, the School of Medicine, in collaboration with the then-Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Florian Mary, decided to consult with fellow students and respond to the ALIVE call for proposals. This consultation revealed a need for a secure bike shelter. Construction began in January 2022 and was completed at the start of this academic year.

The bike shelter is now operational, with card-based access for 150 students on the ADV Campus. These students voluntarily registered in September in response to an email announcement from the faculty administration. In January 2023, the number of access permits will be increased if it is determined that the shelter is underutilized.

This bike shelter is a real benefit for our students, who can combine efficiency with environmental friendliness by choosing to bike to school. The shelter’s security features help significantly reduce theft!

 

* Law No. 2018-166 on Student Guidance and Success, dated March 8, 2018—known as the ORE Law—established a student life and campus contribution (CVEC), which, according to Article L. 841-5.-I of the Education Code, to “promote the reception and social, health, cultural, and athletic support of students and to strengthen preventive and health education initiatives carried out for their benefit.”

For the 19thedition edition of “Rendez-vous aux Jardins,” gardeners and botanists invite you to join them across Europe to explore the theme “Gardens in the Face of Climate Change.” The event, organized by the Ministry of Culture, will take place from Friday, June 3, through Sunday, June 5, 2022. And here’s some good news: Montpellier’s Jardin des Plantes will be participating for two days.

 

 What exactly is “Rendez-vous aux jardins”?

 Starting Friday, June 3, nearly 2,200 gardens will open their doors, offering moments of joy and discovery. It’s an opportunity to share with family and friends through a wide range of activities. Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to interact with experts on nature conservation measures, with the goal of raising awareness about the protection of biodiversity—which is essential to the well-being of all living things. Furthermore, in recent years, thanks to successful European cooperation, many countries have joined the initiative, including Germany, Portugal, Croatia, Italy, Poland, and France. This is an opportunity to discover splendid gardens, such as the Jardin des Plantes at the Montpellier Faculty of Medicine.

 

And what's it like at the Jardin des Plantes?

The Jardin des Plantes at the Montpellier School of Medicine is opening its doors this year for its 19th annual event. In groups of 25, you’ll explore the Garden’s iconic sites through 14 tours centered on recurring themes such as “Bees and Humans in 2022,” “Aromatic Plants and the Five Senses Plots,” or general tours. All passionate about botany, our five gardener-botanists—who will take on the role of guides for the duration of the weekend—will explain how plants are adapting to climate change in their respective areas of expertise. The goal of these two days is to foster interaction between our gardeners-botanists and the general public, as well as to raise awareness among young people and adults alike about the importance of preserving and promoting the Faculty’s Jardin des Plantes. An iconic landmark of Montpellier, come discover it with fresh eyes. We look forward to seeing many of you there! 

 

2022 Tour Schedule for "RDV aux Jardins"

All tours depart from the municipal guards' station on Boulevard Henri IV.

The maximum number of people per visit is limited to 25.

  • Fri, June 3 - 1:00 p.m.

    Bees and Humans in 2022

    by Jeff Fauveau and the APIS SCHOLA association

  • General Tour of the Garden

    by Emmanuel Spicq

    Fri, June 3 - 1:30 p.m.

  • Fri, June 3 - 2:00 p.m.

    To be or not to be in an English garden—that is the question?

    by Ludovic Rioux and Jean-Louis Talavera

  • The Collections of the Jardin des Plantes

    by Didier Morisot

    Fri, June 3 - 2:30 p.m.

  • Fri, June 3 - 3:00 p.m.

    Plant Strategies and Adaptations to Climate Change

    by Denis Nespoulous

  • Herbs and the "Five Senses" Square"

    by Jean-Louis Talavera

    Fri, June 3 - 4:00 p.m.

  • Saturday, June 4 - 1:30 p.m.

    To be or not to be in an English garden—that is the question?

    by Ludovic Rioux and Jean-Louis Talavera

  • A Walk Through History and Ecology

    by Denis Nespoulous

    Sat, June 4 - 2:00 p.m.

  • Sat, June 4 - 2:15 p.m.

    Bees and Humans in 2022

    by Jeff Fauveau and the APIS SCHOLA association

  • The Martins Greenhouse and Its Collection of Succulents

    by Emmanuel SPICQ

    Sat, June 4 - 2:30 p.m.

  • Sat, June 4 - 3:00 p.m.

    Herbs and the "Five Senses" Square"

    by Jean-Louis Talavera

  • Plant Strategies and Adaptations to Climate Change

    by Denis Nespoulous

    Sat, June 4 - 3:30 p.m.

  • Sat, June 4 - 4:00 p.m.

    Bees and Humans in 2022

    by Jeff Fauveau and the APIS SCHOLA association

  • General Tour of the Garden

    by Emmanuel Spicq

    Sat, June 4 - 4:30 p.m.

 

 

What is Karab’s? It’s a pocket guide listing local spots and hidden gems around town for local and international students. Created by students fromthe ACM student union, their project was launched on April 27, 2022, after three years of hard work and dedication.

3 Great Reasons to Get the Karab’s!

 

  • 1 - A PRACTICAL GUIDE BASED ON SIZE AND FORMAT

    Choosing Karab’s means choosing convenience! As small as a paperback, this little guide will easily slip into your bag so you can take it with you everywhere you go through the streets of Montpellier.

    Convenient not only because of its size but also its format! The Karab’s is divided into 6 chapters to guide you through your daily student life: eating, studying, getting some fresh air, going out, cultural activities, and drinking (in moderation, let’s not forget…!). The guide is clear and easy to understand; it features photos of various spots (handy for newcomers to Montpellier!) along with information such as hours, prices, locations, and much more…

  • 2 - A MUST-HAVE FOR DISCOVERING NEW PLACES

    Whether you’re a local student or an international student, Le Karab’s is a quick and effective way to find great spots or discover new ones, both in downtown Montpellier and the surrounding area! From Montpellier’s upscale restaurants to budget-friendly bars, you’ll find all kinds of places listed here.

  • 3 - SUPPORT A STUDENT INITIATIVE

    After three years of hard work, the students atACM Corpo finally saw their project come to fruition! By purchasing this guide, you’re also supporting their work.

    Whether you’re a fan of great deals or just curious, this guide is for you! The best part? Karab’s is 100% free and available at the Medicine Student Union in Montpellier, so go get your copy!

 

Karab’s Makes the Front Page of the Local Press!

And since such a wonderful initiative was bound to catch the attention of the local press, Karab’s has already been featured twice! Coming soon to Radio Campus Montpellier and Fun Radio, this little guide has a bright future ahead of it!