LILLE Programs

We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for the first edition of the 𝐋𝐢𝐃𝐃 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩: “𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 & 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.” 

 

Organized by in partnership with the LILLE European Summer Program, this summer camp invites students to discover, observe, and explore the industrial, design, and textile heritage of Lille and the Hauts-de-France region through the eyes of a designer.

 

The program includes: 

🎓 80 hours of the course “Design & Culture Immersion” (12 ECTS credits) – open to students from all study areas! 

🎨 An immersive approach: creative workshops, inspiring visits to museums and companies, guided sessions, and collaborative work. 

🛠️ Learning how to interpret your experience using design tools such as graphic arts, spatial design, and tangible objects in a dedicated 2,400 m² creative space at LiDD Design School. 

🌏 A comprehensive hospitality package: orientation program, student support, on-campus accommodation, day trips to major Belgian cities, group meals, and more cultural events alongside other ESP students from all over the world! 

 

📅 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: 23 June – 22 July 2026 

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 1 May 2026, with payments due 10 May 2026 

 

For any questions about the program, contact us at [email protected]

Today marks the official end of the 𝟐𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 - and while we’re saying goodbye to our amazing students, we know they’re leaving Lille with memories that will last a lifetime!  
  
This summer was truly something special. Not only did we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Université Catholique de Lille, but also 25 years of the ESP itself! From May 22 to July 24, we had the joy of welcoming 322 students from 59 universities and of 29 nationalities - the biggest and most diverse cohort in our history 🌍  
  
To each and every one of you: thank you for bringing your energy, curiosity, and kindness to Lille. And to all our amazing partners, professors, staff and friends - thank you for making this summer possible.
  
You’re all a part of ESP Family, and we’re always happy to connect with you!

The ESP program is a wonderful place to meet students from all around the world and build lasting friendships.
We organize a variety of events to help students connect and create meaningful shared experiences. One of these was a special networking evening, hosted with the help of JOST. The event took place in a brand-new creative space designed to foster connection. Students enjoyed the chance to chat, play fun games, and share a buffet-style meal inspired by flavors from across the globe 🌍

A big thank you to .lille for organizing this memorable event, and to everyone who joined us!

This year, Université Catholique de Lille is celebrating its 150th anniversary – and on this special occasion, our ESP students had the chance to leave their mark in its history!



The University invited everyone to take part in a unique collaborative construction: the 150th Anniversary Agora. In ancient Greece, the agora was an open space for meeting, sharing, and connecting – and just like that, the Agora Pavilion will become a sustainable and inclusive gathering place on campus for the months to come.



Our students placed their bricks as part of this symbolic project – building something lasting, together with the university and the wider community

Last week, we welcomed 156 new students from all over the world for ESP 2 - joining the 100 already here since ESP 1!

The week began with orientation activities, most notably a welcome brunch where students got to know each other, as well as a guided tour of Lille on Saturday. The city greeted our new arrivals with the beautiful northern sunshine (it's rare but nice when it's there). 🌞

We look forward to spending July with you all!

We’re thrilled to announce that registration for the 25th edition of the LILLE European Summer Program is officially closed!

The journey to the memorable summer in Lille is about to begin!☀️ Our first session kicks off this Wednesday, and we’re excited to welcome 166 students from 15 countries and 27 universities around the world 🌍

This summer, a total of 324 students will experience the charm of Lille. We’re putting our hearts into the final preparations to ensure your time here is truly special, and look forward to meeting you all very soon. Welcome to the family!

Studying in Lille during the summer is not just about enjoying the sun and the beauty of the Université Catholique de Lille. It's also about academic discovery, immersing yourself in French culture, and having a real summer experience ☀️

Photo credits: – ESP professor and guide. Thank you for capturing these wonderful moments!

ESP1 2024: field trip to Brussels! 🇧🇪

We headed to the Belgian capital with our 142 international students - a city famous for its chocolates, beer, fries, and waffles! But the discoveries started with an exploration of the Parlamentarium, the visitors centre of the European Parliament. Some students had the chance for an additional EU-related visit, while others toured the city with our amazing guide, Garrett.

We hope everyone enjoyed the day.

Stay tuned for more adventures! 📸

On your mark, get set, go! 🏁

Registration for the European Summer Program 2024 is now open! ☀

ESP1: 22 May - 20 June
ESP2: 26 June - 24 July

Go to the link in bio to get more information and register 📩

Last week, 54 international students from different partner universities arrived in Lille for this year's LILLE Winter Program! ❄😍
Here's a sneak peek of how it is going so far...

🌍 𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐎 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐖𝐈 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞! 🌍

This September, 139 WWI memorial sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, several of which have long played a part in the European Summer Program, and are now integral to the LILLE Winter Program too.

We regularly lead students on visits to sites such as:

- the Canadian monument and restored trenches in 𝐕𝐢𝐦𝐲 along with the French national cemetery at nearby Notre Dame de Lorette,
- the Australian monuments at 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬,
- but most especially 𝐓𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 (the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world) and the 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬 (for the Last Post ceremony, played every night since 1928).

Several students have even found the final resting places of their relatives who fought and died there, making the experience even more personal. But we think that such visits are important for everyone, as they aim to help understand the impact of war and aspire 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞. 🕊