Why Strate School of design ? An international student point of view
By: Theo Castagne
Tags: France, Students, Friendship, Schools, Design

Daniela is a 28 years old student. She was born and grew up in Mexico in the little town of Queretaro. Then she went to Puebla, a city near Mexico City, to study Visual Graphic design at « Puebla Universidad de las Americas Puebla » (UDLAP). She was really interested in graphic design and in the program taught by the university. After graduating she moves back to her native town to work for four and a half year. She was the only designer in the small company that she was working for. So at first it was hard but this experience allowed her to learn a lot of things about sell. Then she finally decided to continue studies but not in Mexico.

Daniela is the fourth one starting on the left

Why did you choose France and Strate for your studies ?

« I wanted to do an other degree but I didn’t know what exactly. Then I discover Strate and the Smart City program. But I hesitate with Barcelona in Spain to go at the Barcelona Technology School ( BTS ) to study digital and technology. But the Smart City program convince me. And also because I like France. »

Can you talk about the Smart City Program in Strate ?

« So Smart City is a little group of international people from all different ages and countries. In my class there are approximately ten student. The curriculum is two years long. The first year is made for learnt about general things because not everyone has made design studies before. And then the second year is dedicated to the writing of thesis and an internship to graduate. »

Does it fill your expectations ? Or did you wish to change something in the program ?

« At first I didn’t know what to expect but I would change some things on the program. I enjoyed first year but I would have liked more focus on design in the program because I already know some »

What was your favorite moment at Strate ?

« It was last year when my class and I went to China. We participated in a contest, the goal was to find a way to make people stay or come back in a city or an area. And we finished at the second place. That was really cool! »

Do you feel good in strate ? Do you have a lot of interactions with other students ?

« Yes of course but I don’t have many friends here. I have a small group of friend in my class but we don’t have any interactions with the other students. It’s kind of hard because we don’t speak the same language and we don’t have many common things like projects or classes. »

So you don’t speak French at all ?

« I do a little bit and I understand it because I took classes when I was in primary school, for about …… years but I stop for 4 to 6 years. So It is kind of difficult to speak in French. And I’m also here to re-learn French. »

You told us that you did not have many friends at Strate but did you make any friends outside of the school ?

« Yes ! Actually I live at the Cité Universitaire in Paris and there is a Mexican house so I have met a lot of people there. »

And do you have a job or something to help you live there ?

« Yes ! I do the same job that I used to do in Mexico but with less responsibilities so that is not a problem for me. »

Talking about Mexico do you miss your family ? Or are you homesick ? Was it hard to leave Mexico ?

« No I talk to them really often and like I said I make Mexican friends so I’m not homesick at all or maybe a little bit like everyone would be. And I don’t feel that it was hard to leave Mexico because I already did it when I passed my first degree, I had to do an internship in Australia so I’m starting to get used to leave alone far from home ! »

Do you want to stay in France after finishing your studies ?

« I don’t know… I think I could stay in France maybe one year but not more and after I will move back to my hometown in Mexico. »

And to finish, if you could try something else at strate what would it be ?