I wanted to do something different – It only takes a singular decision to go from advanced math to Dior. In 2011, Valentin took this important step, deciding on a whim to study for four years with Go Campus in the USA…and it turned out for the best, with zero regrets.
Your American university experience began exactly 10 years ago. How and why did you make this drastic decision to go and study in the US?
Valentin – It’s just one of those lucky coincidences in life. I was taking advanced maths. And I didn’t enjoy it at all, I had realised that I definitely needed a change. It just so happened that I went to school with the two sons of a Go Campus director, and the two of them were living in the US at the time. While having dinner at Laurent Bachelot’s house, he talked to me about the programme. Before that, I had no clue that a 19-year-old French teenager could even go and study on an American campus.
You really made the most out of this opportunity. But I can imagine that it wasn’t that easy and that you really had to weigh up the pros and cons. What made you come round to the idea?
In both for and against columns, the main argument was the same which could be summarised in just one word: the unknown. It’s the unknown that interested me and encouraged me to go, but it also frightened me and was holding me back; yet this fear turned into motivation and in the end spurred me on just as much. I remember that what I liked most about it was the idea of starting completely from scratch! I just felt like I had messed up and was at a bit of a dead end. I wanted to move on from what I was doing and all my past experiences. I was also intrigued to do something that was different from other people. I didn’t really try to do any more research about it. I kind of liked the ‘spur of the moment’ aspect of my decision. I had a good feeling about it right from the start!
Was your gut feeling right?
Absolutely. If there’s one thing in my life that I don’t regret, it’s this decision. Out of all the things I have done, it’s the thing that I’m the proudest of, because I know for a fact that that choice has helped to shape me into the person I am today. My four years spent studying in the USA have given me such unique experiences. I would have missed out on so much if I had stayed in Paris, Marseille or who knows where else! I have seen so many things and have met so many people!
You signed up to the programme in March/April 2011 and you left in August? What do you still remember from this transition period?
In all honesty, not a lot. Everything was just super simple, and it all happened very quickly. It felt like I had just blinked and had just woken up in the USA one day.
Where exactly?
In Saint-Louis, Missouri
In terms of adapting, what did you find most difficult?
At the very beginning, without a doubt, it was the language barrier. In the lead up to the programme, I had taken some language classes which meant that I could get by with my writing skills, but my speaking was awful. But after that, it quickly becomes easier. Unlike other people, English wasn’t my main motivation. If I had to have gone to Sweden, I would’ve…and I would’ve learnt Swedish. But now I can speak English and it’s obviously a huge advantage for me.
What major did you choose?
I chose International Business. I wanted a subject area that was quite general and that gave me the chance to easily change paths. But I ended up graduating in that major.
What lesson has stuck with you from your years at university? What stands out the most from your experience?
The real-life adventure. The amount of people I got to meet, the things I learnt and all the discoveries…on every level. By going somewhere else, you really start to understand how people think and their different perspectives; you realise that there are a thousand different ways of looking at things. It completely broadens your perspective, opens your eyes.
What do you think you learnt while there that you wouldn’t have done if you had stayed in France?
I learnt to say ‘yes’… ‘yes’ to almost everything. You’ve got to say yes to make the most of every situation. I think open-mindedness has a lot to do with being reactive and accepting of whatever comes your way. I learnt to take control of my own life, to be less of just a passenger.
Tell us a bit about the American teaching and education system.
At first, I was a bit disappointed by the level of difficulty. But I must admit that I had stopped advanced maths and then restarted right from the basics in the US. Therefore, in terms of content, I found it quite easy. But since I had the additional challenge of the language, it wasn’t so bad. Beyond that, I was very pleasantly surprised by their approach to teaching, the teachers and campus facilities at our disposal and especially all of the resources!
What is one story that really summarises your experience in the US?
There are tonnes so it’s impossible to just give you one! In 4 years, I went from discovery to discovery, from one good moment to another: from my first steps in Walmart (it may seem like a small thing, but it felt super impressive and alien to me!) to the baseball world finals in St. Louis, all while sharing these experiences with other students. All the different nationalities, all the diversity…it’s truly an unforgettable experience. I spent four years on this campus, and I still feel like I never fully explored it. Honestly, I would have gladly spent 15 years studying there!
Any regrets?
I may have made the mistake of not pursuing the OPT straight after getting my bachelor’s degree (a yearlong placement in the US, open to all graduates). But at the time, I chose to go back home to spend some time with my family since I had only seen them intermittently while I was away. At the same time, deep down, I have no regrets whatsoever. I’m very happy with where I have ended up today.
Tell us a bit about your life now after the GO CAMPUS programme?
I continued my studies in France. I did a master’s degree in Luxury brand management. Straight after, I was hired by Dior and I’m now the manager of one of their Parisian stores! To be honest, everything has turned out very well for me. If we hadn’t been hit so hard by COVID, I admit that it would’ve been better, but I can’t complain and I’m thrilled with all the experience I’ve gained, both in the US and here in France.
Why do you think that this university programme remains relatively unpopular, with so few students knowing about it and taking advantage of the opportunity?
I can see two reasons: a lack of accessibility to information. Most students have no clue that this even exists and that they can actually do it! All it would take to get them on board is to just wave it right under their nose, right? The second is more to do with the fact that the French education system is quite restrictive and doesn’t offer much room to experiment. Anything that’s outside of the norm is seen as a failure, setback, disadvantage or even a disaster (retaking a year, wasting time or even just a bad grade!). Yet, this approach to education is actually super beneficial. It was and will always be a pivotal moment in my life. In my field of work, lots of students studied abroad for a semester or two, but only a few completed their whole degree over there. This experience made me stand out against others. It’s not bad to be a bit unique!
