Student life is an integral part of the ISEN Ouest experience. Through clubs, associations, events and the Student Union (BDE), every student is encouraged to become progressively involved in campus life, take initiative and develop the interpersonal skills that are essential to their future career as an engineer.
Getting progressively involved in campus life
Throughout their studies, students are encouraged to get involved in student life, associations and events. This engagement is an integral part of the engineer’s personal and professional development: it gives students the opportunity to take on responsibilities, contribute to real-life projects and play an active role in their campus community.
- From the first year, students discover the different clubs and occasionally take part in projects or events. (Integration Project)
- In the second year, they choose an activity in which they become more regularly involved. (Support Project)
- In the third year, they can take on a position of responsibility within a club or association, or join the BDE team. (Leadership Project)
This approach is implemented across all ISEN Ouest campuses, with adaptations depending on the location. In Paris and Rennes, where students complete a two-year preparatory program, they collectively take part in the BDE and help organize campus activities.
Why get involved in student life?
Student life is also an opportunity to learn through experience. By getting involved in a club, association or event, students gain first-hand experience of what it means to manage a project: developing an idea, bringing a team together, planning each stage, communicating, dealing with unexpected challenges and working towards a shared outcome.
This experience complements academic learning by developing essential interpersonal and organizational skills, including independence, a sense of responsibility, teamwork, communication, decision-making and adaptability. These qualities are invaluable for academic projects, professional life and a future career as an engineer.
Getting involved means learning how to:
- work as part of a team
- organize an event
- manage a budget
- communicate about a project
- take on responsibilities
- become more independent
- build connections between students from different year groups
- contribute to the atmosphere and life of the campus
The BDE: driving student life on every campus
The Bureau des Étudiants (BDE), or Student Union, plays a key role in student life at ISEN Ouest. Active across the campuses, it helps build connections between students, brings the school community to life through a wide range of events and fosters a strong sense of community among students.
Joining a BDE team gives students the opportunity to take part in a rewarding collective experience. They take on responsibilities and learn how to manage projects, communicate effectively, work as a team and represent the students on their campus.
Each ISEN Ouest campus has its own unique student community. BDE activities are tailored to the size of the campus, the student cohorts, students’ interests and local events. However, they all share the same goal: to create a vibrant student experience and help every student feel welcome and included.
