At Mines Saint-Etienne, the start of the academic year always includes the traditional welcome weekend for new arrivals (“WANA”). First-year students from the ICM and ISMIN engineering programmes met in the Pilat Regional Natural Park and the Ecrins Massif respectively for two days of sports-based and collaborative integration.
Students and staff from the School first participated in community activities with local associations or farms in their region. Preparing pizzas alongside elderly people, farm work and weeding—the students demonstrated their commitment and sense of solidarity.
Sports activities soon followed. The programme included a “Glacier Blanc Objective” hike, canoeing down the Durance, via ferrata, all supervised by the School’s dedicated staff and professional instructors. The new students met numerous challenges, particularly that of forming two close-knit cohorts with shared values of respect.
The welcome weekend for new arrivals is an important date in student life but also in the life of the School. A date that reminds us that Mines Saint-Etienne is a school that trains future engineers to be responsible and supportive.
