Your Arrival in Paris

Welcome to ISMAC Paris! This page explains what to prepare before your arrival and what to expect during your first days on campus.

Pre‑arrival checklist

Before leaving your home country:

Check the academic calendar and book your flight to arrive at least one week before classes begin
Visa obtained & OFII stamp checked (see Visa page)
If your visa is delayed, contact admission@ismac.fr immediately to inform the school and request authorization to start classes later.
Temporary accommodation booked for the first nights (see Accomodation page)
Familiarise yourself with health services available to you (see Health page)
ISMAC admission letter saved on your phone and in your email
Email your flight details to admission@ismac.fr at least 15 days before arrival (mandatory)
Emergency contacts and local support numbers saved

Getting to ISMAC (Paris 13ᵉ)

Airport	Route	Time	Cost
Charles de Gaulle (CDG)	RER B to Denfert-Rochereau - Metro 6 to Corvisart	~60 min	€14
Orly	Metro 14 direct to Olympiades - 10 min walk to ISMAC	~30 min	€14
Beauvais-Tillé	Airport shuttle to Porte Maillot - Metro 6 to Corvisart	~2h15	€17+

CDG and Orly: purchase the Ticket Paris Région – Aéroports (€14) at the airport ticket machines or on the Île-de-France Mobilités app before boarding. For Beauvais, add a standard metro ticket (€2.55) on top of the shuttle fare.

You can also take an official taxi from any airport. Fares are fixed: €56 from CDG and €35 from Orly to central Paris.

Your Buddy at ISMAC

Upon arrival, every international student is introduced to a dedicated ISMAC student buddy a current French student who will be your go-to contact throughout your first weeks in Paris.

Your buddy is here to support you with the practical side of student life: navigating the city, understanding how things work on campus, and answering any questions you may have along the way. Their contact details are handed to you on your first day, and you are welcome to reach out at any time.

It is a simple but meaningful way to make sure no international student ever feels alone when starting a new chapter in Paris.

Welcome Day

On the first day of each semester, ISMAC organises a dedicated Welcome Day for all newly arrived international students designed to help you settle in as smoothly as possible.

On the programme:

A guided tour of the campus
A Q&A session with current students who have already been through the same process
An informal moment to meet your fellow international students and your buddy

Administrative steps completed on the day:

Validate your OFII residence permit (guidance provided on VLS‑TS validation and deadlines)
Enrol with CPAM (French health insurance)
Pre‑register with CAF (housing benefit)
Receive your campus badge and student ID card
Pick up a free 48‑hour RATP transport ticket
Get advice on opening a bank account with our partner, La Banque Postale, located 5 minutes from campus

The exact date and programme are confirmed by email with your admission letter.

Emergency Numbers in France

Save these numbers on your phone as soon as you arrive.

15 SAMU : Medical emergency

17 Police : Crime, theft, danger

18 Fire Brigade : Fire, accident, rescue

3114 Psychological Crisis Line : Mental health crisis

112 European Emergency : Works across Europe

Students with disabilities

ISMAC’s disability referent is Qin Zou. If you have a disability or specific needs, contact her before your arrival at info@ismac.fr so the appropriate support can be arranged for you.

Contacts

Academic Referent : l.bailly@ismac.fr

Administrative Referent : s.mai@ismac.fr

Your Arrival in Paris