Marie-Claire Doussard (2009-2010Inbound from France)

Dear Rob,

You are true to say that this exchange is now part of my memories but it is certainly a very good one that is on my mind every day.

As this year was a year-off on an academic point of view, it was also a great experience which helped me to gain in maturity, not only on a personal view but also on an academic point of view. I learned how to organize myself in my work and how to be open to other cultures.

So lets start with the beginning; right now I'm a student at EM LYON Business School (the 3/4th best business school of France). I'm currently doing the EMM Program ( European Master in Management) which is entirely taught in English. Previously, I did a 3 year Bachelor Degree at ESC Clermont (France) where 25% of my classes were taught in English the 1st year, 50% the 2nd year and for the last year I went in Scotland. As you can see, I did continue to travel after my exchange year in the context of studies, and I believe my future would not have been the same without this exchange I did with the Rotary. Before I was not really keen on travelling everywhere or at least I was not courageous enough to do so. But then, the world became so small after spending a year abroad and meeting so many different nationalities. Moreover, this year abroad has been a really advantage for me to talk about during interviews for internships and interviews to get into masters. I truly believe this is an amazing experience for the students and I quite often talk about this program to people around me, saying it has nothing to do with other programs, this one is about learning a new culture and other values by being totally immerged into the country and language is not the main apsect of it, even though it is also a real plus you get after the year.

Concerning this year, I plan on doing an internship in finance in Germany from March to August and then next year I decided to specialize in Finance which will led me to spend a year in Shanghai. At the end of my Bachelor I got 2 degrees (French and English)and with my master I will get 3 degrees (French, English and German). As you can see, I became a real international woman :)

I truly believe that this exchange program is a real opportunity for students who are motivated to go abroad and discover something new. Maturity, open-mindedness to cultures, organization, and a real interest in people is what this program brought me and I'm sure this can bring so much more depending on your personality.

Also, when I came back from this year in Florida, I helped building the 2nd Interact in France as this is not very known here. So you seen, there can be a real exchange of cultures and projects here, which I believe are the fundamentals values of the International Rotary.

I hope his is what you where looking for, I spoke with my heart :)

Best Regards,

Marie-Claire DUSSOURD