The traditional Student Welcome Day took place this Thursday, September 28, at the Exhibition Palace. The first watchword: integration. For this 9th edition, the JAE focused particularly on the theme of culture.
The staff opened the doors at 2:00 PM, and the students rushed in. Calf games, tug of war, pool noodle jousting, or sumo wrestling… Nearly 5,000 students competed, proudly wearing their campus colors, around an inflatable games arena, spurred on by dance music. The winners were rewarded with tokens they deposited in a pool, but most importantly by the cheers of their peers. Competitions and teamwork, nothing better for students to get to know the people they will spend their future academic years with. Lucas Snobeck, a first-year psychology student, accompanied by his friends Julien and Arthur, shared his experience: “The staff motivated us from the moment we arrived. While queuing, we always meet people, and every time we come out, there’s a real motivational tension.”
The new president of the universities of Nice, Emmanuel Tric, was far from imagining such cohesion: “I didn’t expect this dynamic. For some who did not know each other since this morning, there is a real dynamic of being together.”
The afternoon also took place in complete safety. The security of the palace, a private security company, as well as firefighters and police patrols were present.
And if integration among students is important, integration into their own city is equally so. This year, the JAE emphasizes the culture of Nice. Juliette, one of the many volunteer staff members, reminds us: “Being in a city also means knowing its history and its must-see places.” Between quizzes on Nice and cultural promotion stands of the city, first-year students were informed about the events happening around them. Emmanuel Tric assigned the vice-president Nicolas Rodi to bring students closer to their city: “It’s a life project. Whether they are blue, yellow, or green, there is a notion of belonging, to show both difference and unity. What I would like is for students to propose their ideas so that they take ownership of their city and their universities.” For the art side, an “Art’recup” workshop was set up to create works with recyclable materials. Right next door, artist Nasica was tasked with spray-painting a mural throughout the day.
The day concluded with a free concert at the Théâtre de la Verdure. From 8:00 PM to midnight, musicians, DJs, and dancers set the stage on fire. François Nasica’s mural was showcased with the inscription: “Access to knowledge is a fundamental right”. The three hills, palm trees, and sea, nods to Nice, were subtly drawn. Characters were holding hands, “to show that students are welcome and to highlight integration,” confides the artist. The message came across.
Océane Da Silva
