Alumni days: Andrea PARACHE CEBALLOS (Agriculture, 2023, Beauvais)

Why did you choose France?

I've always wanted to work or study abroad. While I was in my final year of Food Chemistry at La Salle University in Mexico, I had the opportunity to take part in the selection process for the double degree program between UniLaSalle Beauvais and the Faculty of Chemical Sciences. Choosing this path meant challenging my abilities in many areas, both personally and academically. It meant learning a foreign language from scratch, a challenge I decided to take up without hesitation.

Why France? Quite simply because its culture has always fascinated me. France has been a pioneer in many of the world's advances since antiquity, and it's a country I deeply admire, both personally and culturally.

What I remember about my stay

Studying in France has brought me considerable professional and personal enrichment, as well as many valuable experiences. One of the most recent, and one I'm particularly proud of, was being part of the volunteer team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This experience introduced me to the world of event management and broadened my horizons by interacting with people from a variety of cultures. It was a bit like paying tribute to this country for everything it has offered me.

Since arriving in France I've been lucky enough to make new friends, meet new colleagues, and get to know people I now consider family. It has also enabled me to step out of my comfort zone and develop my resilience. I've become more aware of my own abilities and of the person I've become. To sum up, I've really enjoyed the personal and professional development I've undergone since arriving here.

My journey from UniLaSalle

However, beyond this unique experience, my journey in France took an important turn when it came to focusing on my professional ambitions. When I finished my studies, I stayed on in France to gain more experience in the professional field. That's when I realized that I lacked certain skills to achieve my goal of becoming a Product Manager in the food sector. That's why I decided to supplement my studies with training in marketing, to acquire the knowledge I needed to achieve my goal.

At the same time, I'm working as Assistant Product Manager for the French brand 《Les 300 laitiers bio》, where I'm very happy and proud to be. This position is the perfect opportunity to put into practice what I learn on a daily basis while discovering new aspects of the sector.

Since my arrival in France, I haven't had the opportunity to return to my country, but I have had the chance to visit other countries and show my family around France. I'm delighted to be able to share these moments with them.

How do I see my future?

I still see myself in France, working in the food sector, as a Product Manager, or why not, one day, in a management position. I also see myself sharing my time with people I like and who like me, and always looking for new adventures that will enable me to discover more cultures, people and experiences.

As the quote goes, "The more a man studies, the simpler it becomes, for as he learns, he discovers the greatness of his ignorance." This perfectly reflects my journey. Each new experience reminds me that learning is a never-ending path, and that each step I take opens up new perspectives.