Adventurer’s Handbook
Hey there, biz! This page is a brief summary of the orientation website that we’ve translated <3
If you’d like more details, feel free to translate the orientation website yourself…
Anyway, welcome!!
FYI: all words in italics are specific vocabulary we use at INSA.
Here’s a quick definition to help you understand everything:
Miff (family): This is a group of people that includes your mentor, to which you will be assigned using the orientation form you will fill so we can get to know you better, and find a mentor who’s a good fit for you! That way, you’ll meet lots of people with the same interests as you, and if it doesn’t click, you can always switch groups.
Summer School
INSA offers foreign students an event called Summer School! It takes place a week before the start of the school year, and you’ll have classes, but also activities to explore Lyon and make friends before everyone else, such as machete classes, treasure hunts…
Plus, the week wraps up with a party at the Kfet, INSA‘s bar, to end things on a high note!
During Summer School, you’ll also be able to meet us (the CdPs) or the « veterans of the jungle » if you prefer, and spend evenings with us or with members of your miff who are already on campus.
Special note: If you’re not from mainland France, INSA will lend you sheets and a bolster that you can have washed for free all year long!
Bedroom
The bedroom (your sanctuary between explorations, also known as your turne at INSA) is a 17 m² space that you’ll be sharing all year long with your coturne (your roommate), with a small bathroom and shared restrooms. So you’ll need to get settled in comfortably to make the most of your time here!
It seems quite small, but there are large shelves, a closet, and space for storage under the bed, so space-wise, it’s fine.
Your room contains:
- a small INDUCTION electric cooktop (no need to go on a quest to cook dinner on Saturday night)
- a bathroom + sink
- a small fridge
- a radiator (watch out for winters in the Lyon jungle)
- two 80×190(x25) beds with mattresses
- two desks with two small drawers
- lots of shelves (4 on each side, either 40 or 25 cm wide) to store your treasures
- a closet with a clothing rack and two shelves
Here’s a list of what we recommend you bring for the start of the school year — your adventurer’s starter pack:
- sheets / duvet covers / mattress protectors / pillows
- cleaning supplies
- your personal items (toothbrush, soap, etc.)
- basic dishes and kitchen supplies (especially for Saturday nights, plus a desk lamp for late-night expeditions)
- a clothesline or drying rack
- hangers for storage
You can also bring:
- under-bed storage (maximum 25 cm high)
- a storage cabinet to place next to your fridge (22×88×54)
- a power strip
- a microwave
- decorations! (photos, posters, garlands, plants, your explorer’s hat…)
- a speaker
- earplugs, just in case
Orientation
As for orientation, you’ll already have plenty to do on the first day (registration, checking out your room, administrative procedures, etc.). But if you have some free time (or if you arrived early for summer school), you can go through the orientation activities (which include games, challenges, and more). During that same week, a tip for young adventurers: don’t miss the Humas! These are three nights of partying to celebrate your arrival; your miff will guide you through the jungle of INSA to take you to the Humas, so don’t hesitate to ask them.
Other events await you throughout the start of the school year, such as the Plouc or the Rallye, two events during which you’ll represent your miff. The Plouc is a series of mostly athletic challenges at INSA, and the Rallye consists of challenges to complete in Lyon.
Finally, there’s also the WEI, a weekend where a large part of the first years will head out to bond (and enjoy the sun). Don’t forget to grab your tickets, because there aren’t enough for everyone. But I’m sure that, as an international student, you’ll be quick enough to snag the coveted prize: « tickets for the WEI ».
📚 Your year
Throughout the year, you’ll attend several types of classes:
A class where your entire section gathers to listen to a theoretical lecture. If you don’t understand anything, congrats, you’re normal! You’ll need to review the material and find the study method that works best for you. There’s also the language barrier, which will gradually fade over the course of the year. So don’t panic — you’ll get used to it 🙂
This is when you apply all the theory to diabolical exercises prepared by your professor. Ask all your questions — this is the time to learn how to become a true engineering adventurer!
Considered easy by some and hell on earth by others, these are the more « hands-on » courses at INSA. You’ll tackle physics and chemistry labs (go on an expedition to discover dilution #fun guaranteed).
These sessions are mainly there to help you if you don’t understand the lectures or the exercises (often, when another professor explains it, things become clearer). Plus, if you’re in the GLOBALINSA (scan) section, some teachers also offer office hours so that you can just ask them a few questions if you don’t need a full torturing hour.
☕ But let’s stop talking about classes and talk about activitieeeeeees instead:
Clubs / sports (recreational or competitive…) / activities organized by the student council… There are tons of great activities available at INSA, enough to help you meet your future exploration team!
- Sports:
When it comes to sports, you have TONS of options. There’s the competitive sports club, which replaces your physical education class. Note: for many sports, there are some tryouts to check your level, but if you’ve already done this sport, don’t panic — you’ll probably be selected! Otherwise, if you want to play it safe, there’s the Recreational Sports Club, though it doesn’t replace PE.
- Clubs:
There are plenty of clubs at INSA that you can choose from for your next adventure. In your first year, you won’t have much time, but if you want to get involved in a club, it’s possible! For your « expedition, » you can choose musical theater, dance, cooking — there are plenty of options!
- BDE services and activities:
Honestly, you won’t interact much with the BDE before the CDP campaign, but it offers plenty of useful services like the COOP (to buy basic supplies before your first expedition) or the Insa Shop (to buy a gorgeous INSA sweater, the symbol of every adventurer). They also offer activities (movie screenings, themed games, etc.), so stay tuned!!