Joachim, a Brazilian student pursuing a double degree at Universidade Federal de São Carlos and ENSTA

Why did you choose ENSTA?

While pursuing my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in Brazil, I became very interested in the field of optimization and operations research (which has many applications in electrical engineering, particularly in the areas of power systems and energy transmission). So, I became interested in ENSTA because I knew it was a leader in the field of optimization (and there is even a specialization in the Applied Mathematics track focused on operations research). Ultimately, I pursued the Artificial Intelligence track at ENSTA, which includes a significant number of courses related to operations research (since most AI models use an optimization method during the training phase).

What are the benefits of studying at ENSTA? What do you like most?

Studying at ENSTA allows you to interact with researchers and professors who are at the forefront of many scientific fields. As a result, key concepts are presented in depth and are always updated with the latest discoveries (which is particularly important in fields like artificial intelligence, where knowledge evolves extremely rapidly).

I also appreciated the diversity of the programs and courses offered, which gives students the freedom to explore different subjects and specialize in what interests them most.

What do you think of student club life?

There were some clubs that really interested me when I arrived at ENSTA (mainly those related to music). However, studying took up a large part of my free time, and in the end I wasn’t able to actively participate in a club or the student council.

The BR’ENSTA club on the Palaiseau campus brings together Brazilian students and is very active. As soon as you’re admitted, Brazilian students already at ENSTA reach out to you to answer your questions on a peer-to-peer basis. Throughout the exchange, there’s a strong bond among the students in this club, which also welcomes international students from other countries with enthusiasm and energy.

Are you living in the dorm? How would you describe your campus? What do you like about the campus?

I lived on campus for nearly a year, and I have nothing but fond memories of the ENSTA residence. That’s where I made friends whom I kept throughout my three years in the dual-degree program, and who have become friends for life.

The room is very well-equipped, with everything you need for daily life. Plus, the residence has a game room, a gym, and excellent study rooms. Every time I walk by, I remember the many times I spent studying for hours with my classmates for exams.

Being able to fully experience university life (since the residence is right next to the school building), alongside people who, like you, are all students and at the same stage of life, is an incredible experience, and certainly one of the best aspects of student life at ENSTA. I recommend it to everyone!

What advice would you give to a student from your country considering coming to ENSTA?

Higher education in France is a bit different from that in Brazil, particularly in terms of the depth with which mathematical concepts are covered. The courses are generally dense, and the concepts are always very well formalized (using advanced notions of analysis and algebra). So, I would recommend that Brazilian students review the main math topics typically covered in the foundational engineering curriculum, as they are very important for a large portion of ENSTA’s technical courses.

Furthermore, I would especially recommend studying French. Not only because most courses are taught in French, but also because, even though you can communicate in English in a major city like Paris, knowing the local language significantly enhances your cultural integration and your overall dual-degree experience.

Finally, I would say not to be afraid of change: ENSTA welcomes students in an exceptional way, from the airport pickup to the availability of French and English courses. And when faced with any difficulties, it closely supports the students.

What do you like most about France?

It’s hard to name just one thing I love about France, but if I had to choose one, I’d say the people I’ve met here. I’ve made incredible friends and met people I want to stay close to for the rest of my life (and most of them, I met at ENSTA!).

Beyond the personal aspect, the professional aspect is also very important. I’ve always wanted to work in research and development, and here there’s significant investment in this field, both from companies and the public sector. In France, it’s possible to do cutting-edge research and get paid for it.

Finally, I’d simply mention the quality of life, with an emphasis on safety: it’s incredible to be able to walk down the street without a care in the world!

How do you see your professional future?

I completed my final internship at the French company Thales, in the field of research and development in artificial intelligence. Today, after graduating from ENSTA, I’m continuing at Thales as a PhD student in the field of artificial intelligence and computer vision (under a contract known as a CIFRE thesis).

Before finishing ENSTA, my goal was to continue working in a technical field, developing cutting-edge technologies and studying state-of-the-art concepts. The CIFRE thesis was the perfect combination, as it allows me to pursue research activities while developing a product directly applicable to industry.

Any final thoughts?

Today, I can’t imagine my life without having pursued the dual degree at ENSTA. These three years have profoundly transformed me, both personally and professionally, radically changing my life and that of my family (for the better!). An interesting fact is that, during my dual degree program, my brother came to visit me, fell in love with France as well, and decided to settle here to pursue a PhD. So France truly has the power to win hearts! I met incredible people, had very enriching professional experiences through internships, and after three years in France, I had no doubt about my decision to stay. I can only encourage everyone considering applying to ENSTA, and I’m certain you’ll have an experience as enriching as mine (just as many of my classmates did!).