How did you hear about l’X? Why did you choose to study at l’X?
My professors at Universidade de São Paulo told me about l’X at the beginning of the 2000s. At this time, I was dreaming of a new challenge abroad and l’X was about to open its admission examinations to international students coming from the most prestigious academic institutions around the world.Encouraged by my professors, I took the exam and had the chance to be part of the class X2002.
I chose l’X for lots of reasons, such as:
-Its two-hundred-year-old tradition of excellence in the teaching of sciences and its vocation to prepare the leading elite for many areas of activities.
-The opportunity to study with students who have an excellent level and who come from around the world, and to be part of the l’X Alumni network.
-The opportunity to live in France, to learn French language and to learn about the culture of this country I’ve always admired.
I wanted to have a very high-quality education, to learn foreign languages, the opportunity to discover the world/ to have an international background, to meet new people…Results were far beyond my expectations.
Did the admission examinations make you nervous? What did you do to prepare?
Of course, I was nervous. I was aware that this is a one-chance opportunity. I had to succeed because I knew it would completely change my life. On D-Day, I was self-confident, I did my best, and it worked. In order to prepare for the admission examinations, I relied on: individual work, group work sessions with my Brazilian classmates, and advanced courses proposed by the Universidade de São Paulo. By the way, the latter was really useful because the required level at l’X, particularly in mathematics, is significantly higher than the one in Brazil
Did l’X accompanying measures regarding the administrative procedures make your arrival easier?
The process was perfect. It was very useful because I was a foreign student, I did not speak French very well at that time so their help for Visas procedures was essential.
Were you happy with the way you have been welcomed by the School and the other students? Was it easy for you to settle in with l’X environment?
The welcome was excellent. At first, l’X welcomed us in Palaiseau during a few days. Then, we, - the international students - went to Villeneuve-sur-Lot for intensive French courses: 6 hours a day. I lived within a French family. This experience allowed me to have an insight into the French culture. One month later, core science curriculum began and thanks to this preparatory phase, I easily settled in with the student life at l’X.
How did you feel about the sport facilities and activities available at l’X?
One of l’X strengths is its high-quality sport facilities: swimming, riding, golf, soccer, rugby,… among others. When I was at l’X, I used to swim, thus I had a good balance and I could be more focused in class.
How did you feel about the format and the pace of the courses? About the academic level? About the opening on the professional/research worlds?
I have to be honest, it is a steady pace. There was no time-out. But it was a great opportunity to have an education of that quality. Today I can affirm that my time at l’X was the most intellectually challenging period of my life and it allowed me to further develop my open-mindedness, my learning and adaptation skills.
More generally, did you adapt to French culture and language?
Very well, I can even say that it was a revelation. To such an extent that, many years after, after having lived 10 years in France, I decided to be naturalized French. By the way, the sub-prefect of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, who delivered me by hand my certificate for my French nationality was himself an X too! So, it’s a small world…
Did your academic curriculum allow you to enter serenely the professional world?
During my studies at l’X I could develop adaptation, learning and open-mindedness skills that allowed me to begin well my professional career from the outset.
Was the l’X Alumni network useful to find a first job?
The l’X Alumni network was essential for me to find my first job. The X Foundation put me in touch with Renault, my first employer. The group was looking for international profiles just like mine. I have to say that apart from the support to find my first job, l’X network helped me many times during my career. Indeed, I benefited from the advices of former classmates who did not hesitate to spend a bit of their time with me. It has been essential at some key points of my career. This camaraderie and mutual support that prevail between Alumni is a real strength and can also represent a wealth for l’X.
Does the X diploma have the same value in France and abroad?
L’X is more and more internationally renowned. It’s a fact. However, to my mind, l’X diploma is still more renowned in France than abroad. But thanks to the school’s initiatives, it’s a matter of time before l’X reputation is the same all around the world.
In the framework of your career, was/is French still useful?
I’ve always worked for French companies, so French language has always been essential for me, in France and abroad.
What kind of job did you choose? What did make you stay in France/in your country/go abroad?
The multidisciplinary curriculum proposed at l’X allows students to be the best in several areas all around the world. I personally chose to stay in France after graduation because I like the French way of life. However, I had the ambition to carry out major projects in a dynamic environment with an international exposure. I wanted to experience human adventures. After my graduation at l’X, Renault proposed me a very interesting 12-year career program that offered me the opportunity to further develop my skills in several areas from engineering to manufacturing, in a very international environment. For a year now, I am a plant manager in Písek, Czech Republic for Faurecia Clean Mobility. It is a key plant for the group with a 100M euros turnover and 600 employees. My studies at l’X and my previous experience allowed me to quickly adapt and the first results soon came in.
Finally, would you recommend l’X? Why?
Without any hesitation, I recommend l’X. First of all, because studying at l’X is a first-class intellectual and human experience that can change a life. Secondly, the multidisciplinary curriculum of the Ingénieur Polytechnicien program prepares the students to navigate in a changing world, to have the capacity to adapt to an environment, often unstable, uncertain, complex and ambiguous and this is an essential skill for today’s leaders. L’X students are particularly well trained for that. I wanted to add for those who still hesitate: if you have a taste for excellence, determination, open-mindedness and international exposure, go to l’X!
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