France Alumni Day
Since 2014, “World Alumni Day” has been an opportunity to celebrate international students who have studied in France
Initiated by former Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, Campus France and the entire diplomatic network, this annual event celebrates the rich diversity of backgrounds and talent developed in French higher education. It brings together members of the France Alumni network, which has 530,000 members in 136 countries.
In Canada, the Institut français partners with this global event to recognize the alumni of French institutions and their lasting connection to France through events that bring together these institutions and alumni associations.
France is one of the world's most popular destinations for international students and welcomes more than 400,000 such students each year.
2025 edition
From mid-May to mid-June 2025, the Embassy organized 5 France Alumni receptions across Canada to celebrate students and graduates who chose France as the destination of their international exchange. A total of xxx people gathered to share their experiences in France. These receptions were organized with the help of “honorary representatives,” volunteer alumni interested in working across local alumni communities.
In Vancouver, on May 15, more than 60 alumni of French institutions gathered for an evening of French gastronomy. Thanks to the fantastic work of the students at Vancouver Community College, which hosted the event, the alumni were able to enjoy an exceptional culinary experience while sharing their experiences of France.
In Calgary, on June 3, around 40 alumni attended a reception at the Alliance Française. Their accounts of their experiences in France were very inspiring and serve as examples for students who will be travelling to France at the start of the next academic year, some of whom were present at the event.
In Ottawa on June 4, some 60 alumni gathered at the Embassy of France, in the presence of Ambassador Michel Miraillet and France Alumni’s representative in Ottawa, Elisabeth Richard.
The evening brought together alumni who had studied in France and future students who were about to leave for France, in a warm atmosphere where they could talk about their experiences and future plans.
In Toronto on June 17, France Alumni gathered at Hart House at the University of Toronto. The event was opened by Charlotte Montel, ex-Director of the French Institute of Canada, and Bertrand Pous, Consul General of France in Toronto. It brought together former students who had studied in France to hear testimonials from Roda Muse, Deputy Minister of Francophone Affairs for Ontario; Basia Puszkar, Director of International Policy at UNICEF Canada; Tiffany Wong, Director of AI Governance at CIBC; and Mahvish Wesley, Director of the Centre for International Experience at the University of Toronto.
In Moncton on June 23, in Moncton, numerous alumni gathered at the residence of the Consul General of France, Bertrand Cahuet. Under the theme “Talents to Change the World,” the evening brought together former students, academics, current students, and institutional representatives. Claire Johnson, New Brunswick Minister of Education and Early Childhood, and Laurence Leblanc, a student at the University of Moncton, spoke about their journeys thanks to France-Acadie scholarships. Video testimonials from Senator René Cormier, the Hon. Louise Imbeault, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, and Isabelle Leblanc, professor of sociolinguistics at the University of Moncton, were also shown during the event.
