On 14 May 2025, Gustave Eiffel University (France) had the pleasure of hosting students and faculty from AVANS University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands) for a half-day intercultural learning session on the Champs-sur-Marne Campus. This event was part of the ongoing collaboration within the PIONEER Alliance, coordinated by Gustave Eiffel University and of which AVANS is a member.

The session took place in La Centrif’, the coworking space in the Ada Lovelace Building. It began with breakfast and ice-breakers to encourage informal connections, followed by intercultural games that stimulated discussion and reflection on cross-cultural communication.

Participants also engaged with the Culture Simulator, an innovative online tool that presents realistic intercultural scenarios. A debriefing session allowed students to analyse their responses and relate these experiences to professional contexts.

The visiting AVANS students, enrolled in the International Business programme and currently studying French, valued the opportunity to interact with their French counterparts. Several students highlighted how the experience expanded their intercultural skills and global outlook. The warm welcome and active participation from the Gustave Eiffel University community were greatly appreciated, as was their opportunity to explore Paris afterwards, which “never fails to impress”, as one student stated.

This session exemplifies the value of international cooperation through the PIONEER Alliance and serves as a model for future exchanges fostering multilingual and multicultural learning.

Author: Université Gustave Eiffel