Chaïma Bouguerra: Top of her cohort, 1st-year Bachelor in Business — La Rochelle Campus
“I was a bit lost at first but that didn't last thanks to the welcome and guidance from the programme coordinators, guest lecturers and students, who were very helpful and welcoming.”
Adventure story
Hello Chaïma, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Chaïma Bouguerra, I'm in my 1st year of the Bachelor in Business at Excelia Business School, I'm 19 years old and I'm Tunisian.
Why did you choose France for your studies?
I chose France to pursue my higher education thanks to the excellence of its education system and the international recognition of its qualifications. It's also thanks to the linguistic closeness, since I've had a bilingual education since primary school.
What support did you receive from Excelia with your administrative procedures?
To make the administrative procedures easier, particularly the visa process, Excelia sent me a proof of accommodation and a certificate of administrative enrolment.
For the Campus France interview, which is compulsory because I have a Tunisian baccalaureate, Excelia sent me a link to get an idea of the different questions asked.
How do you feel in La Rochelle? What difficulties did you experience when you arrived?
In La Rochelle, I feel safe, it's a very calm city and I find it very well suited to students.
On the cultural and tourist side, it's very pleasant and attractive, with its museums and leisure spots where you can relax after a long week of studying.
On the other hand, I think the only difficulty in La Rochelle is finding accommodation, because the market is tight, so you really need to remember to book your accommodation before arriving.
Flashback: your 1st day of classes at the school
My first day of classes at Excelia was the same as my day of arrival in La Rochelle, I was a bit lost at first but that didn't last thanks to the welcome and guidance from the programme coordinators, guest lecturers and students, who were very helpful and welcoming. They took care of me, showing me around the school and giving me all the classes I had missed since the start of the year.
What do you like most about this school?
I really appreciate the teaching methods used in some subjects. Indeed, some lecturers have innovative teaching techniques/methods.
What's more, my favourite day is my SCAP day (a half-day dedicated to getting involved in a school society), since I learn lots of new things and meet new people every time.
Can you tell us about your Climacité© mission experience?
Excelia gives international students the option of carrying out this mission either in France or in their home country. So I personally carried out my Climacité© mission in Tunisia, in an organic grocery shop that sells organic and natural food products.
This experience made me more aware and helped me change my consumption habits in order to protect our environment and fight climate change, and that is why I find it very important and beneficial.
Which course, lecturer or teaching method has stayed with you, and why?
The lecturer who has stayed with me the most is Guillaume De Saint-Louvent, our oral communication lecturer, because he managed to be creative and hold students' attention with his new strategies and his unconventional personality.
In your view, who is the Bachelor in Business aimed at?
The Bachelor in Business is aimed at students who want to prepare for the working world in a hands-on way, it's a highly professionalising programme that offers several pathway options in the 2nd year (academic expatriation, double degree or work-study).
When you're not in class, what do you do with your free time?
In my free time, I do several things: I read books, I go out to discover different places in La Rochelle or I listen to music.
How do you picture what comes next after you leave the school?
I want to continue my studies until I get my Master's, then join a multinational company at first and, in the medium term, launch my own venture.
If you had to sum up your first few months at Excelia?
The school has given me a great start to my higher education studies, helped me adapt to challenges, and let me keep building, with confidence and passion, the tools to develop skills to take on the working world!
What advice would you give a future international student?
Yes we can, the path of skills development is a great challenge for an international student.
At the time of this testimonial, Chaïma Bouguerra, who is Tunisian, was in her first year of the Bachelor in Business at Excelia Business School, on the La Rochelle campus, where she was top of her cohort. She talks about Climacité©, one of Excelia's two engagement schemes. You can read the other testimonials from students and graduates to discover other paths within Excelia Business School.