May 2026: 500 Students Immersed in Rome to Inspire and Create
The concept is simple: give vocational high school students the opportunity to discover the Italian capital and draw inspiration from it to develop their skills and professional ambitions. Each year, students from different French regions take part in the programme.
In 2026, 500 students from 24 vocational high schools across the Grand Est and Hauts-de-France regions, representing twenty different fields of expertise, took part in cultural visits and hands-on workshops before presenting, during the final exhibition, a collective project created by each class and inspired by one of the year’s themes:
- “From the Roman Banquet to the Lifestyles of Tomorrow” for Grand Est;
- “Excellence of Craftsmanship and Technological Innovation” for Hauts-de-France.
high-school students have taken part in a cultural and professional immersion programme since the launch of "the Résidence Pro" in 2022.
From the start of the academic year, students receive support from the programme’s educational teams, complemented by a dedicated digital platform. Together, they design and document a collective project inspired by one of Rome’s major cultural heritage landmarks.
Students are welcomed to Rome and Villa Medici for a week-long immersion centred on discovery, exchange and shared experiences. Throughout their stay, they explore sites linked to their fields of study, take part in workshops highlighting the connections between their future professions and cultural heritage, meet industry professionals, and enjoy a range of social and cultural activities that bring the week to life.
Upon returning, students share their experience and insights with their peers through formats of their choice—screenings, tastings, concerts, workshops and more.
A Highlight of a Strong Partnership with Villa Medici
Résidence Pro is part of the partnership established in 2022 between BNP Paribas and Villa Medici, alongside initiatives such as “Living Tomorrow” (Habiter Demain) and the Festival des Cabanes, organised by BNP Paribas Wealth Management. The programme is therefore built on a natural alliance between two institutions committed to supporting transition, creativity and the transmission of knowledge.
Culture as a Driver of Equal Opportunity and Personal Development
For the BNP Paribas Foundation, supporting young people, encouraging knowledge-sharing and broadening access to culture have long been central commitments. Résidence Pro is a tangible example of this mission in action. By showcasing the excellence of vocational and craft professions and highlighting their connection to culture, the programme demonstrates that these career paths are also fields of innovation, creativity and passion.
Initiatives such as Résidence Pro demonstrate how culture can play a tangible role in promoting equal opportunities and personal fulfilment.
