l'EPT Paris Terres d'Envol
Marya Mahdid, 24, from Algeria, has been in France for 3 years, in the 2nd year of the engineering apprenticeship program (IENAC22). She is doing her block release training at Daher Aerospace in Tarbes.
How did you hear about ENAC?
I knew about ENAC even before I arrived in France. I've always had a passion for aeronautics, and after my mathematics high school diploma, I went on to study at the Institut d'Aéronautique et des Études Spatiales in Algeria for a year. It was there that I got to know ENAC, as many of the researchers and doctoral students were ENAC engineers, and they used to tell us a lot about the school and how it had opened them up to the international scene. I've made some enquiries, but I only knew about the traditional engineering training, not the apprenticeship way. So I've started taking steps with Campus France Alger about continuing my higher education in France. Toulouse had always attracted me as the “European capital of aeronautics”. Studying in Toulouse meant I'd be close to the major players in the sector, create a network and have more opportunities. Paul Sabatier University was one of the universities offered by Campus France, so I immediately applied for the Mechanical Engineering in Aeronautics degree course. It was on this occasion, at a trade fair for work-study programs, that I met some IENAC apprentices and the head of the course, who gave me a lot of information about the course. I applied immediately and was accepted.
How did your arrival and integration on campus go?
I arrived on the Montpellier campus, and with the rest of the class, we immediately felt at home. It was pretty much just us and the EPL (Élèves Pilotes de Ligne - Student airline pilots). Now I'm on the Toulouse campus, which is a change, but it's still a wonderful discovery. You get to meet other classes, chat with people from all walks of life, and lots of international students. I noticed that we were very well looked after, even for things that didn't concern the courses. When I had a problem, with my residence permit for example, ENAC was always there for me, always finding solutions. It's great, it takes the stress away. As an apprentice, I also have a pedagogical tutor, and as she knows I'm a foreigner, she's kind to me, asking me if everything's going well, if I'm not having any problems integrating or whatever. There's also a club for international students, which is great, as it allows us to get to know other people from all over the world. We have a small group with whom we organize outings.
Are you happy with your choice?
Yes, of course, I have absolutely no regrets about coming to France and choosing this course. The real strength of ENAC is that it's one of the few schools where the apprenticeship engineering course delivers the same diploma as a “classic” engineer. What's more, ENAC is a renowned school, not only in Europe, but also in North Africa and many other countries. As soon as you say you're from ENAC, when you're in Singapore or elsewhere, they know, and that's a plus. When I'm looking for internships abroad, saying that I belong to this school immediately makes my application more interesting to my interviewers than if I hadn't mentioned it. ENAC's international outlook brings us much closer to the professional world and opens up many opportunities. For example, I was able to meet the Algerian Director of Civil Aviation when he came to an event organized at ENAC.
Have you had a chance to visit the country?
When we were in Montpellier with the graduating class, we visited Marseille and the Var coast, which was very beautiful. Now I'm in Tarbes for my work-study program, so more of the South-West. I'm going to Spain for a while, to San Sebastian and the French Basque country in Biarritz, and also to the Pyrenees. I had the opportunity to fly with my company, and it's great to get an aerial view of the Pyrenees! So yes, I've visited a bit, but I'm not going to say I've visited a lot, because there are still a lot of places to discover.
What do you plan to do after ENAC?
To be quite honest, it's not very clear yet. I know I'll have great professional opportunities in France and abroad, and for a career starter it's important to have this variety of experience. But I'd really like to stay and work here in France to gain expertise.