11 September 2013 - An orientation seminar was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Paris on August 29 for the entire batch of Filipino students coming to France for their studies.

Seventeen students, mostly on their Junior Team Abroad from the Ateneo de Manila University, attended the seminar before classes officially begin in September.

“The purpose of this gathering is to share with you the work of the Embassy and how the Philippine Government extends its mantle of protection to cover all Filipino nationals overseas, including yourselves. In showing you the work that we do, I also hope to turn all of you into goodwill ambassadors for the Philippines,” Philippine Ambassador to France Cristina mentioned in her opening remarks.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rapunzel Acop then delivered a presentation on the work of the Embassy, which was followed by a testimonial from Ms. Daniela Laurel Fois, a former student in Europe who now lives in Paris. Ms. Fois shared her experience as a student and how she was able to find employment after her studies. She also shared her work with the Filipino community in France through the Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Program of the Ateneo School of Government for OFWs in Paris.

This orientation seminar is the first orientation done in partnership with the French Embassy in the Philippines. A draft Memorandum of Understanding between the two embassies and the French Foreign Trade Counsellors parties provides for the sharing of information on all incoming Filipino students to France for the purpose of orienting them on the work of Foreign Service Posts and encouraging them to be goodwill ambassadors.

Last year, over 300 Filipino students left the Philippines to study in France. This represents an almost 50% increase for the same period in 2009. END