Dedicated support for international students
The UCLy Health Center brings together a range of services dedicated to students' physical, mental and social well-being. From preventive healthcare to psychological support and disability services, every student can benefit from personalised guidance throughout their studies.
Dr Marie-Charlotte Bourdel, UCLy's university physician and Head of the Health Center, explains how the different services work together to support students throughout their academic journey.
Hello, I am Doctor Marie-Charlotte BOURDEL, a physician at the Catholic University of Lyon. After completing a traditional course in general medicine, I decided to focus on preventive medicine at UCLy, where I now support students in their overall health.
What is preventive healthcare, and what does it involve at UCLy?
Preventive medicine is structured around three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. At UCLy, we focus primarily on primary prevention, which means taking action before health problems arise and to prevent the onset of diseases among students. In concrete terms, this means raising awareness of key issues affecting their daily health: healthy sleep habits to prevent disorders linked to lack of rest, sexual health, healthy eating, and stress management. Our goal? Give students the tools to maintaining their life balance and overall well-being.
The Health Center brings together several services. Could you tell us about them?
The UCLy Health Center brings together several complementary services dedicated to students’ well-being:
• A psychologist runs the Listening Service, offering guidance and support to students experiencing personal or academic difficulties.They do not conduct psychotherapy but offer guidance to students facing difficulties, particularly during the sometimes challenging transition from high school to university life. This role is essential in preventing isolation or uneasiness.
• A campus nurse provides first-line care, health advice and referrals to appropriate healthcare professionals when needed. Although not a doctor, she can assess students’ health and refer them to the appropriate professionals if necessary..
• A midwife provides women's health consultations and advice in a confidential setting, at an age when taking care of one’s health is especially important.
• A Disability Support Officer, a central component of the Health Center: she supports students with disabilities to promote their academic success by implementing appropriate adjustments during classes and exams. The goal? To ensure that everyone has the same opportunities for success.
• Finally, as the university physician, I meet with students throughout their studies, ideally in their first year, to assess their general health (physical, psychological, social). This check-up allows me to detect any medical conditions or disabilities and refer them to the appropriate support services.
Why is it important for students to have access to all these services?
Access to these services is crucial for students because they are often far from home. They no longer have contact with their regular doctor. If they ever have a health concern, they don't know who to turn to. They find it easier to come to us.
Most students are young, apparently healthy, and not used to seeing a doctor. By welcoming them for preventive consultations, we can identify disorders or vulnerabilities at an early stage and refer them to the necessary care or support before the situation worsens.
How does the Health Center support ILCF's international students?
Our message is simple: every international student is welcome at the UCLy Health Center without reservation. We are here to support you regardless of your country of origin or your level of French.
We understand that the language barrier can sometimes seem intimidating, but rest assured: we use translation tools to facilitate communication and make our exchanges smooth. Don't let this apprehension prevent you from coming to see us, on the contrary, your health is our priority.
Never hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you stay healthy and make the most of your experience at UCLy. We are here to listen to you and help you feel good, both physically and mentally, throughout your studies.
To go even further
Founded in 1875, the Catholic University of Lyon celebrated its 150th anniversary over the course of a year, until June 2026. Open to the world and in tune with societal changes, UCLy has continued to grow, developing new programmes and advancing research at the intersection of the sciences and the humanities.
For international students, the Qualité FLE label is much more than an official certification. It guarantees high-quality teaching, experienced teachers, personalised support and an environment designed to help students learn French in the best possible conditions.
