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Published: 11 June 2026

French Alumni Happy Hour was organized by HEC alumni at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley on June 10, 2026.

This gathering was open to all alumni from ESSEC, Sciences Po, HEC, EDHEC, X, Arts & Métiers and other French schools.

Thank you to HEC and in particular to Rebecca Scholl for organizing. Looking forward to the new amazing networking meetings and other alumni events!

Loïc, Albina (AFAM community manager) and Rosalie at the event. Loïc and Rosalie are Stanford/Arts et Metiers students.

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Published: 05 June 2026

AFAM: Hello Florian and Jean-Louis, and thank you for sharing your experience of being Georgia Tech students (parcours US). Please tell us a few words about yourself, what are you doing now?

Jean-Louis:
My name is Jean-Louis Roy. I studied at Arts et Métiers before joining Georgia Tech, where I recently completed a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. My academic interests are mainly at the intersection of engineering, machine learning, optimization, and applied technology. I am now exploring professional opportunities where I can combine technical problem-solving with real-world impact.

Florian: Hi, I just finished my Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. I did this as part of the “Parcours US” program at Arts et Métiers. I just came back to France to do my final-year internship.

AFAM: Why did you decide to apply for Georgia Tech program (parcours US)?

Jean-Louis:
I decided to apply because I wanted to experience a more international and research-oriented academic environment. Georgia Tech was also a great opportunity to study in the United States, improve my technical background, and discover a different way of learning, with more projects, teamwork, and practical applications. It felt like a strong complement to my engineering education at Arts et Métiers.

Florian: I wanted to specialize in AI while still benefiting from the general engineering training offered by Arts et Métiers. The Parcours US program allowed me to apply to several American universities offering these master’s degrees, and I ultimately chose Georgia Tech.

AFAM: How did you like Georgia Tech in Atlanta? What classes were you enjoying the most?

Jean-Louis:
I really enjoyed my experience at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The campus is very dynamic, and you can feel that students are involved in many academic, entrepreneurial, and extracurricular projects.

Among the classes I enjoyed the most, I would mention High-Dimensional Statistics. It was very demanding and technical, but also intellectually stimulating and strongly connected to modern data science and machine learning.

Florian:

It was a really good experience. Living on campus is very pleasant; everything is accessible and designed for students. The most interesting classes were the theoretical courses in statistics and machine learning, such as High-Dimensional Statistics and Graphical Models, but they were also the most difficult ones.

AFAM: What was the most challenging for you in the US?

Jean-Louis:
One of the most challenging parts was preparing the practical aspects of life in the US before arriving, especially housing. Fortunately, we had the support of the Graduate Living Center (GLC), because otherwise finding and renting a place remotely, without visiting it beforehand, would have felt like a real leap of faith.

Academically, the workload was also quite demanding. There were many homework assignments and projects throughout the semester, so it was important to start early and stay organized instead of waiting until the last minute. I also chose to complete my degree in two semesters, from Fall to Spring, instead of spreading it over three semesters including the Summer. This made the workload even more intense and required stronger time management.

Florian:

I think the most challenging thing for me at the beginning was approaching Americans to ask for information or help, because it can feel a bit intimidating. But you just have to go for it, even if you have to repeat yourself several times; it’s not a big deal.

AFAM: How was life on Georgia Tech campus? Any activities you were enjoying outside of the classroom?

Jean-Louis:
Life on campus was very active, with many events, student organizations, sports activities, and opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds. Personally, I did not take part in one specific activity on a regular basis, but I really appreciated the quality of the campus facilities, especially the gym, swimming pool, sauna, and sports areas.

For students who want to join clubs and integrate more quickly, I would recommend looking for opportunities early and being proactive. The same applies to students interested in research: it is better not to wait for opportunities to come naturally, but to reach out, ask questions, and take initiative. In my experience, this proactive mindset is strongly valued in the US.

Florian:

Life on campus was great. Georgia Tech has amazing facilities, whether for studying, sports, or student life in general, and it really feels like everything is designed to make students’ lives easier. I also played volleyball before arriving at Georgia Tech, and one of my motivations for going to the US was the sports facilities and the sports culture. So I joined the Georgia Tech volleyball team. It was my best experience there. It allowed me to make real American friends, travel around the US for tournaments ( California, Florida, Alabama ) and experience Nationals in March. If you have a good level in a sport, don’t hesitate to try out for club teams, even if it is only for one semester.

AFAM: Anything you would like to share about your future projects?

Jean-Louis:
For the future, I would like to work on projects that combine engineering, data, and artificial intelligence, ideally with a strong practical impact. My experience at Georgia Tech confirmed my interest in technical fields such as machine learning, optimization, and applied systems.

More broadly, I hope to keep building an international profile and use what I learned both at Arts et Métiers and Georgia Tech in ambitious technical projects.

Georgia Tech volleyball team

Atlanta at night

Photos: courtesy of Florian and Jean-Louis

Please discover Sequoia coaching program and Sequoia grants offered by AFAM. If you are an Arts et Metiers student, you can be eligible to participate.

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Published: 04 June 2026

On June 1 AFAM board directors gathered for its quarterly meeting. The agenda was particularly full and included the election of a new Board of Directors, as well as the approval of 22 Sequoia # 2 grants for incoming Arts et Metiers students studying at American Universities and 4 Shasta grants for interns newly arriving in the United States.

After the meeting AFAM secretary Yarith Phay (Bo 191) thanked the departing board members for their dedication and service to the organization:

"I am particularly proud of the achievements we made together over the past few years and by the direction we are setting for the future. We are saying goodbye to several outstanding colleagues who are wrapping up their terms. Our deepest gratitude goes out to:

• Marc Amblard, for his vital contributions to AFAM as CFO, to the comité d'investissement and his dedicated representation on the comité de pilotage d'ELF (Evolutive Learning Factories). 

• Jean-Luc Nauleau, whose legacy as part of the AFAM founding team has shaped the very foundation of this organization.

• Valentin Fehr, for his steadfast commitment, perspective, and dedication as a Director and very active member of our Comite Operationnel.

• Eric Tran (US Central), Sacha Ghebali (US East), and Patrice Brossard (General Delegate for Americas), for their leadership as Ex-officio officers in keeping the SOCE regional networks vibrant and connected."

One of AFAM long-serving board members Audrey Stewart, Director of International and European Strategy Development at Arts et Metiers, added:

"AFAM is a remarkable example of the vital role alumni associations play in supporting higher education institutions today. Beyond assisting students with their projects and mobility opportunities in the United States, AFAM actively contributes to strengthening the visibility and reputation of Arts et Métiers internationally. In an increasingly competitive higher education environment, alumni networks have become essential to building lasting attractiveness and impact."

In addition to electing a new board, the directors approved 22 Sequoia # 2 grants for Arts et Metiers students who will be joining American Universities this September ( or are already pursuing their studies the United States) as well as 4 Shasta grants for interns arriving in the United States this summer.

We would like to warmly congratulate all of the grant recipients and wish them every success in their academic and professional endeavors.

The next board meeting will take place on Septembre 14th and will include the participation of the newly elected board members and officers:

• Xavier Wartelle (Li 182) - President / CEO

• Aurore Prévot (Li 198) - Vice President

• Jean Pommier (An 183) - Treasurer / CFO

• Yarith Phay (Bo 191) - Secretary

• Audrey Stewart - Ex-officio, representing Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers

• Alain Le Floch (An 177) - Ex-officio, representing Fondation Arts et Métiers

• Pascale Morin (Ai 179) - Ex-officio, representing Société des Ingénieurs Arts et Métiers

• Nicolas Horde (Ai 214) - Independent Board Member

• Vincent Schmitt (Ch 182) - Independent Board Member

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Published: 04 June 2026

AFAM: Hello Hippolyte and thank you for agreeing to answer our questions. You are currently located in Boston and doing a business development job for HEF Group. Could you please tell us a few words about your current job and about the company you work for?

Hippolyte: Hi everyone, I’m currently driving business growth for HEF Group in the US, based out of Boston. This implies getting to know our facilities and the commercial team in the US, learning about the already existing markets, and hunting for new opportunities on new strategic markets.

Very quickly, HEF brings two things to the table: scientific expertise in surface engineering and the ability to scale processes from the lab to industrial production worldwide.

AFAM: what was the road that led you to your current VIE position at HEF Group? Why do you think you were the best candidate for this position?

Hippolyte: I did all my studying years in France and had the opportunity to go to Mexico for my last term internship. I feel my experience there really convinced me that it’s also by working in different environments that you get a sense of what today’s challenges are.

I believe also that having an academic experience in a material sciences CNRS lab at ESPCI and an industrial experience abroad in a tier 1 supplier for the automotive industry really helped me on the road to my VIE.

I’m not sure whether it’s about being “the best” in general or simply about being well-suited to adapt quickly in a new culture. I was particularly interested in understanding what business development looks like in the US. Since HEF Group is a highly technical company, they tend to hire technical profiles to support their sales, which aligns well with my background.

AFAM: what do you enjoy the most about your current role? What is or was the most challenging for you?

Hippolyte: The best thing about my job is the people I meet. I talk with engineers from multiple different industries, mostly from OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), and I get to have a sense of what are today’s next challenges in tech, robotics, aeronautics etc.

To be very honest, a big part of my job is prospection, and that’s the most challenging for me.

AFAM: how did being a Gadz’Arts help you in your professional journey?

Hippolyte: It helped so much! To start with, this VIE opportunity came out of a discussion with a Gadzarts who’s working at my current company.

Apart from that, and more generally, I can share that in every discussion I’ve had about Gadz’Arts, our reputation is always very strong. It’s not just about performance, but also about social skills and the way to operate with others. I feel like this helps a lot to initiate contacts.

AFAM: you live in Boston. What do you do when you are not working? Any activities you enjoy doing? How do you like the city of Boston?

Hippolyte: My hobbies are mostly sports, so I play soccer and tennis with friends. Boston is a great city where you can find a balance between the hustle of a big city and the tranquility of a place where you can settle down and spend quality time. That’s what I love about Boston.

AFAM: what advice would you give to Arts et Metiers students looking for internships in the United States or willing to start their internship search?

Hippolyte: I think it’s always the same advice but still, define what’s important for you in the next 2 years. It might be a scientific expertise, the willingness to discover an industry in a new country… Don’t underestimate speaking fluently several languages, it’s one of your biggest strengths and assets.

Reach out to your network at SOCE. Don’t hesitate to send an email or post a few lines about your profile and what you’re looking for.

AFAM: anything you would like to share with us about your future plans?
Hippolyte: My focus is on the actual mission, we’ll see what opportunities come up at the end of my VIE. If any of you stop by Boston, let’s have a drink.

AFAM: Thank you Hippolyte.

If you are an Arts et Metiers student looking for an internship, please join our Shasta program to get some support. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for know more about the program.

Hippolyte with his colleagues at work

Hippolyte with Albina (AFAM community manager) in Palo Alto, CA, during one of Hippolyte's business trips

All pictures - courtesy of Hippolyte

Please read other interviews in our "Zoom on" series:

Interview with Alessandro Rizzo (Ai 219), VIE, Waga Energy

Interview with Thomas Mas (Ch 219), Associate Project Manager at Walt Disney Imagineering

Interview with Arthur Coste (Ch 221), VIE, Dassault Falcon Jet

Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech Lorraine (GTL) - Interview with Pierrick Rauby (Me 214), Sébastien Sequeira (Bo 216) and Eymard Prevost (Li 215)

Meng and Advanced Manufacturing and Design, MIT - Antoine Yazbeck (Ch 217), Arts et Metiers & MIT alumnus

 and other interviews