A top French business school is stepping in to support international students caught in the chaos of new US visa restrictions. Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM) has announced it will fast-track applications for students whose plans to study in the United States have been disrupted following the suspension of visa interviews — a move that has sent shockwaves through the global education community.
The offer is specifically extended to students who have already secured admission to a US business school. “France is open, and GEM is ready to welcome you,” said Fouziya Bouzerda, Managing Director of the school. “We support academic freedom and stand by all students and scholars facing uncertainty due to political decisions. We stand in solidarity and we’re here to help.”
Her words echoed a growing sentiment in international academia — that access to education should not be subject to political unpredictability. “Liberty, Equity, Fraternity – this is the French spirit,” she added. “Grenoble may be the swift, high-quality solution you’re looking for.”
The initiative aligns with the #ChooseFrance campaign, aimed at positioning the country as a global hub for international students, researchers, and professionals.
The offer comes amid growing concerns in the US education sector. New scrutiny of international students’ social media activity has sparked fears of surveillance and rejection, while students from China, in particular, have been left uncertain after a declaration that their visas could be “aggressively revoked.”
As the global landscape shifts, GEM’s response sends a clear message: in turbulent times, education should remain open, inclusive, and resilient.
