Governance
of the Résidence Lila

Tell us about your background and your arrival at the Cité internationale.

I have a master’s degree in mathematics and I taught at a school in Lebanon and then in Australia. In France, after having worked in an INSERM laboratory then in administration at the Pantheon-Sorbonne University, I began my career at the Cité internationale in 1998 within the admissions department. I then progressed to operations manager, initially at CICS then at the Résidence Lila.

What do you think makes the Cité internationale a unique campus in the world?

The Cité internationale is a multidisciplinary and multicultural place, and an invaluable source of information and experience. The residents feel a great attachment to the campus’s values of sharing and tolerance.

How does living in your house allow residents to have a different outlook on the world and how is it a spring board for their futures?

Staying at the Cité internationale, and notably at the Résidence Lila, is a great advantage for residents. The fact that the Résidence Lila is far away from campus reinforces the connections between residents and make the atmosphere more familial. From the moment that they arrive, the residents feel at home and establish bonds of trust and solidarity thanks to the mutual assistance and active support from employees. Their stay at the house allows them to continue their studies in a calm and stable place that positively influences their academic and professional careers.

If you had to sum up the Cité internationale in one word, what would it be and why?

Richness

The Cité internationale illustrates the richness of its cultural diversity and its openness to the world. It’s a place of meetings and intellectual and cultural exchanges. The Cité internationale doesn’t stop evolving and modernising itself in order to adapt to residents’ needs. It offers very diverse services including: libraries, a theatre, sports facilities, support etc. It’s truly a unique place.