Interview Series: International Students at IMT Atlantique — Part 2

Hi Minh-Triet! Can I ask you — what fascinates you most about the IMT Atlantique?

For me, it is the green campus in Brest. There is even a beach right behind the school which is a nice contrast to the urban environment I’m used to from Vietnam. But if you would have asked when I came here in autumn, my answer would have been different… It is nice when the trees have leaves and everything is green.

And what would be your top tricks for new students?

In comparison to Vietnam, the courses here take less time of the day and so I have more time for other activities. Now I started to learn the guitar. So a first recommendation would be to make the most out of this newly found time.

I was very cold the first nights despite wearing two thick pullovers that I brought along. I bought a small radiator which made things a lot easier. One possible strategy to get used to the weather, in general, is to do sports outside. On the one side, you warm up and on the other, you get used to the weather outside faster than if you stay inside.

Probably not everything went smooth. Did you encounter any difficulties?

The food in the Restaurant here was unusual at first but I like it. In the beginning, my problem was that the portion of a plate was too large for me. Rather a luxury problem but also an unexpected one. My solution? I just ate more from time to time…

Tell me, is there anything that surprised you?

The classes here are very practical. I have the feeling that we focus on the knowledge and topics really necessary for the later job. And we often directly apply it in class or in small projects.

And before coming to France, how did you prepare yourself?

In hindsight, I wish that I had paid more attention in my french class. Having a basic level of French for everyday situations, for example, ordering food in the school restaurant, is very important. The first semester of some TAFs is taught partly in English, which gives you the chance to severely improve your French before you have to use it in class. So either a basic level or even a more advanced level is really helpful.

And I brought close to all of my warm clothes. But that’s it for my preparation.

Any questions for Minh-Triet? Shoot him a message at minh-triet.vo(at)imt-atlantique.net!