Before BIS: “I was born in Bordeaux and only knew France and French before coming to BIS. I came to BIS at the age of 7. My mother chose to change my school partly because the state elementary school system didn't suit me very well, but mainly with the idea of moving to England in the near future. In the end, we never moved, but I did become bilingual :) I stayed at BIS for three years, finishing primary school before joining the OIB course at Collège Cheverus and then Lycée Magendie. Not only did I become effortlessly bilingual at the age of 7, which is a huge advantage for adult life, but I also had the feeling of being adopted into a new culture.
The BIS years: “As a little girl of 7 who didn't speak a word of English on arrival, it was the discovery of another world: a school where I existed as a person, where the teachers, and in particular, wonderful Judith, listened to us and had the time to adapt our learning to our level and pace. What a luxury! Having spent two years in a state elementary school where the teachers complained about my slowness, the climate of tolerance and benevolence towards all pupils was an almost physical sensation of relief that I still remember 30 years later.
I also appreciated the way conflicts between students were handled, with the different parties being listened to and an effort made to dialogue and reconcile with the whole group, rather than punishing them. But maybe my memories of that may be a little hazy!
Whilst mainly, but not solely British, BIS was a patchwork of diversity and my love of the Anglo-Saxon language and culture, which is now a part of who I am, grew out of exposure to the culture at BIS, through language, books and authors, celebrations, songs. Another advantage was learning with international students, which I think helped to open my mind and accept differences.
Additionally, the school system was more flexible, encouraging and rewarding. This was important at a time when my self-confidence as a little girl was damaged, and they gave me a renewed taste for learning, and above all equipped me with a certain confidence in myself and in the adults who supervised my learning. The harsh, humiliating barrier that often exists between students and teachers in France disappeared forever. In its place, a more respectful relationship, and the assumption that the teacher is benevolent. I think my rather successful academic career is largely due to this relationship of trust with teachers. In fact, I'm now teaching myself, and my role models are still the exceptional teachers I had at BIS and later on the OIB course.
Life after BIS: “After BIS, I continued in the OIB program at Cheverus then Magendie. I obtained an international scientific baccalaureate (mention bien), then entered a BCPST preparatory class (“math sup' Bio”). I then entered the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, where I studied biology and then ecology. I finally obtained my PhD in ecology at the University of Montpellier in 2012, and since then I've been a post-doctoral researcher in New Zealand and Germany, where I currently live. My fluency in written and spoken English is undoubtedly a determining factor in my academic success, but also in my desire to live abroad.
