Welcome Programme 2026: A Week to Remember

My name is Bruno de Barros, and I am a French-Portuguese student at Sciences Po.

I am currently pursuing a research Master’s degree in History at the School of Research. I have completed my entire academic journey within the institution, which has allowed me to develop a strong attachment to Sciences Po. I have been an actively engaged student in many associations and cultural projects and I truly believe that my academic path would not have been the same without this involvement.

Throughout my studies, I have also had meaningful international experiences, including a university exchange in Canada and an internship in Brazil. These experiences profoundly shaped my worldview, both academically, professionally, and personally.

The role of a Team Leader and even more so that of a Captain – is multifaceted and demanding. Above all, it involves being present and available at all times to support students from the moment they arrive.

We assist them with administrative procedures, help them integrate into Sciences Po, and accompany them in discovering Paris. Throughout the week, we organise visits to iconic landmarks so they can truly make the city their own: from Montmartre to the Latin Quarter, from the Tuileries to Les Invalides, from Notre-Dame to Père Lachaise, and all the way to the Eiffel Tower. Beyond sightseeing, we also organise activities such as a Wine & Cheese evening to immerse students in French culture, fun activities like scavenger hunts across Paris, and introductory sessions on French culture.

Arriving in a new country, a new culture, and a global city like Paris can be overwhelming. Our role is therefore also to reassure students, create a supportive and inclusive environment, and ensure that everyone feels welcome and legitimate. A key aspect of the Team Leader’s role is to create connections, as these activities help students bond with one another and quickly build strong friendships.

This experience is extraordinary. Otherwise, I would not have taken part in it multiple times. Each edition is different, yet always deeply enriching. It is a real pleasure to meet students from all around the world, to exchange with them in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian, and to continuously learn from their academic paths and cultural backgrounds.

We also organise more informal moments in bars, cafés, and restaurants across Paris, which help create genuine human connections beyond the academic setting. The Welcome Programme is, above all, a human experience that strengthens the sense of community around Sciences Po and its core values of inclusion, academic excellence, and openness to the world.

I have a particular affection for the exchanges with students from the Sciences Po Professional Certificate for Young Refugee. Each year, these encounters help me stay grounded and connected to reality. Their life stories, often shaped by extremely difficult experiences that words can hardly fully convey, are deeply moving. Yet, they radiate an extraordinary strength, strong values, and remarkable kindness, leaving a lasting impression every time I take part in the Welcome Programme. These rare, deeply human encounters truly give meaning to my commitment to the programme.

I would recommend the Welcome Programme to any student who is curious and eager to share, always with a positive and open mindset. It is a unique opportunity to discover Sciences Po, Paris, and French culture, while also gaining a concrete understanding of what the school’s international openness truly means.

The programme is open to everyone, and we have always been committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive space, keeping in mind that we ourselves have once been exchange students abroad.