Since November 2024, Guilhian Biet has served as president of the Association of International Students (ASSET) at ENS de Lyon. A student in a second year Master's degree in Contemporary History and a first year Master's degree in Digital Humanities, he himself had the experience of studying abroad for two years in Germany, at the University of Bielefeld, before returning to France to pursue his academic path.

For Guilhian, joining ASSET was an obvious choice. His own experience of studying abroad inspired him to support students arriving in a new country with little to guide them. “I quickly faced the same challenges that many international students encounter: language barrier, administrative procedures, integration,” he recalls. From the moment he arrived at ENS de Lyon, he immediately became involved in ASSET’s work. “Honestly, I don’t think I even had time to settle in. I dropped off my things at Bonnamour, and that very evening I was already helping with the new academic year event organized by ASSET.”

How did you move from being a member to becoming president?

Margot Schepper, the former president, suggested that I take over. In the School’s jargon, I was a bit “trapped,” but I gladly accepted. I saw it as a great opportunity: to continue improving the academic and daily life of international students and to gain experience in managing a team.

What are ASSET’s main missions?

Our work is organized around three main areas: welcoming, supporting, and integrating.

• Welcoming involves being present from the very beginning of the academic year, organizing information days, and helping the 84 students who arrived last September settle in.
• Supporting focuses on practical assistance: redistributing second-hand materials, sharing useful information in English on WhatsApp and Instagram, and answering everyday questions.
• Integrating is about creating connections: monthly polyglot cafés, language tandems, mentorship programs, and social events.

Can you give examples of events that have marked your term?

The polyglot cafés, without a doubt. They have become our flagship event, where everyone can practice a language, exchange ideas, and meet new people. We also organize social evenings and shared meals, sometimes in collaboration with other associations. Some projects work very well, others a little less: for instance, there was one café where more French students attended than internationals, which was a bit disappointing. But that’s part of the process, and you learn as you go.

ASSET works closely with the International Relations Office. What does this partnership involve?

We worked together to design a survey aimed at identifying the specific needs of international students. The results revealed significant challenges, particularly regarding health and mental well-being. Based on these findings, we plan to introduce new initiatives, such as a workshop on academic methods to explain the French higher education system, clarify faculty’ expectations, and help students prepare effectively for exams.

How has ASSET communicated the survey results to the wider community?

In February 2025, we participated in a roundtable during the Journées Interfaces to present the survey results on integration, access to healthcare, and the mental health of international students. Dr Caroline Combes, head of the student health service, moderated the session, and Yuntian Liu, ASSET’s vice president, joined me. We also screened a short film Añoranza written by a group of international students and directed by Jean Baptiste Drouet, which illustrates the experiences of international students. Although the event was brief, it received significant feedback and helped give visibility to our work.

How does the association operate internally?

Our executive team is relatively small but strong. Rodrigo Duro, treasurer during the previous term, Charlotte Lewis, who served as secretary, and Margot Soyez, responsible for communications, are real pillars, always supporting and coordinating. In addition, numerous occasional volunteers, the “little helpers”, are essential for managing events. I place great value on this collective dimension: association work is a team effort, and nothing can be accomplished alone.

You juggle several responsibilities alongside your studies. How do you manage it all?

It’s true that I also work as a student life ambassador at the University of Lyon and as a library assistant. The simplest answer is: I don’t get much sleep (laughs). More seriously, I love being involved in a variety of activities. The key is staying organized, maintaining a positive attitude even when things get intense, and always remembering why you do it all.

And what are your plans for the future?

Academically, I plan to pursue a PhD in Contemporary History, focusing on the women of Lyon during the French Revolution. I hope to create a large database to cross-reference sources. On the association side, my aim is to build on what we’ve accomplished this year so that ASSET continues to provide strong support for international students.