Dear partners,
While we are all still struggling with the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to clarify our position on the international mobility for 2020/2021. We owe it to you, our privileged partners, and to the students who are preparing to live a life experience.
University Paris Nanterre based its decision on the highly uncertain context in the international area (border status, visa issuance, reduced or non-existent offer of international transport, local health protocols), as well as the series of requirements by the French government : at this point, it appears that French universities will have to respect strict social distancing norms and the presence of students on campus will be restricted, with most courses taught in a blended form (virtual/face-to-face), throughout the first semester 2020-2021. The students’ experience on campus will be highly unusual, even though all faculty members are totally dedicated to maintain the high quality of teaching.
Here is what we have decided for the first semester 2020-2021, while we expect (we dearly hope...) that the situation will get easier for the second semester.
1. Compulsory mobility to validate a degree is maintained (all countries)
We are pleased to devote all our efforts to maintain the international mobility of students enrolled in a diploma with compulsory internal mobility in the frame of our agreements with partners (double degrees, Erasmus Mundus programmes, etc.) for the first semester 2020-2021. The opportunity is given to the pedagogical coordinators of the diploma to decide their organization with their international partners (from countries within or outside the Erasmus Programme). Incoming students however should be aware of the specific conditions of their experience on our campus during the upcoming semester.
2. Non compulsory exchange mobility
Partners from European countries (Schengen area and Erasmus countries) :
Your students are welcome to come to University Paris Nanterre for the first semester 2021-2021. However they should be aware of the very specific context that will be applied on campus (strict social distancing rules, blended learning, etc.), and if they can, we highly recommend that they postpone their mobility to the second semester (from January), so that they can enjoy a more complete student’s experience when the pandemic recedes, as we all hope for. If your students choose to postpone their stay with us, our International Office will specify the modalities to them shortly.
We are pleased to allow our outgoing students to move forward with their plans of mobility to our Erasmus countries partners if possible. Please let us know as soon as possible, if you haven’t already done so, if you maintain incoming mobility in your institution for the first semester, and under which expected conditions.
Partners from non European countries (outside Schengen area and Erasmus countries)
Given the higher risks on international mobility (see above), University Paris Nanterre suspends the incoming and outgoing international mobility for the first semester.
However we will gladly welcome your students during the second semester (from January 2021), and our International Office will specify the modalities of postponement to your students shortly.
If you offer the opportunity to our outgoing students to postpone their mobility to your institutions during the second semester, please let us know so that we can announce the good news to them as soon as possible.
Advice
- Since international travel is stopped, or drastically reduced at the moment, we suggest that the incoming students postpone their travel expenses at the latest when the situation will be clearer.
- According to the current safety measures, incoming students might be requested to spend 14 days in quarantine upon their arrival.
These times are difficult for us all and we are acutely aware that many students around the world have seen their careful plans for an international mobility shuttered, but please be aware that we are doing our best to help them adjust to this new international context while preserving their health and safety. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with you.
The International Office remains at your disposal.
Best regards,
International Office
Université Paris Nanterre