The one-year exchange programme began on 1 September 2026, with the students receiving full scholarships through Erasmus+, the European Union’s programme for education and training. They will spend one semester studying at IMT Mines Albi, followed by a semester-long internship at a company, research institute or laboratory suited to their field of study.
HUMG students at IMT Mines Albi (from left to right: Nguyen Trong Huy, Ho Huu Tien, Truong Ngoc Toan and Nguyen Huu Bach)
Reflecting on his first weeks in France, Truong Ngoc Toan shared: “Being away from home has helped me appreciate more deeply what it means to have people by my side. Messages from my family, the care shown by HUMG lecturers and the fact that the four of us have one another make me feel more at ease in an environment where so much is still new. After more than a month, I find myself taking more initiative, from managing my day-to-day life to asking questions in class and exchanging ideas with international friends. I am grateful for this opportunity and want to make the most of my time here, so that when I return, I can share what I have learnt with my lecturers and fellow students.”
“The four of us have one another”—these simple words capture the warmth of friendship among students from the same university during their first weeks far from home.
HUMG students received guidance on enrolment procedures at IMT Mines Albi
At IMT Mines Albi, an engineering school within France’s Institut Mines-Télécom, the HUMG students are studying in an environment that brings together education, research, innovation and industry. Classes, discussions and group activities with lecturers and students from different countries offer opportunities to strengthen their language skills, explore new perspectives and develop their ability to collaborate in a multicultural setting.
HUMG students studied and interacted with international classmates in an A2-level French class
During their academic semester, Truong Ngoc Toan and Ho Huu Tien are following the Renewable Energies, Sustainable Production and Construction track. Their studies focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and storage, alongside production and construction solutions that reduce environmental impacts.
Nguyen Huu Bach and Nguyen Trong Huy are following the Industrial Engineering for Organizational Performance track. Combining engineering and management, the track introduces students to methods for analysing, organising and optimising the operations of industrial systems and businesses.
Truong Ngoc Toan worked with international students on a practical exercise in solar energy conversion at IMT Mines Albi
HUMG students joined international peers on a visit to Dedienne Aerospace to learn about its production operations
Following their academic semester, the HUMG students will undertake internships at companies or research organisations. This stage will allow them to apply their knowledge in the workplace, gain practical experience and make more informed decisions about their careers after graduation.
Their year-long exchange in France is about more than earning academic credits and gaining specialist knowledge. It is also a journey of personal growth: learning to adapt and finding the confidence to step beyond the familiar to explore new opportunities. Overcoming a challenge independently, speaking up in class or having a conversation that offers insight into another culture can each become a small but memorable milestone.
Nguyen Huu Bach visited Cité de l’espace, a space science park in Toulouse, France
Each participant also takes on a special role as a “HUMG student ambassador”, showing international peers the energy, resilience, creativity and willingness to engage with the wider world that characterise HUMG students. The friendships and connections they build in France will help strengthen cooperation between HUMG and IMT Mines Albi, while inspiring fellow students who hope to embark on international learning journeys of their own.
HUMG students visited Sainte-Cécile Cathedral in Albi, France, with international friends