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Published: 23 April 2025

AFAM informational Sequoia session in partnership with Pôle Carrière took place on April 23rd. This session was organize to present the Sequoia program which aim is to help students and alumni of Arts et Metiers prepare applications for American Universities.

A big thank you goes to Charles Farbos de Luzan (Bo 206) and Nicolas Horde (Ai 214), our volunteers and members of the Sequoia committee, for presenting the program together with AFAM community manager Albina Patou-Chebykina.

Thank you to all the students and alumni who attended this session and asked questions.

If you are an Arts et Metiers alumna or a current student (A2, A3) and plan to continue your studies in the US but do know know where to start, you can join the Sequoia program.

Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information

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Published: 10 April 2025

AFAM: hello Charles, please tell a few words about yourself

Charles: 

Hi, I’m Charles Calvinhac, a Master of Engineering student in Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley. Before coming to Berkeley, I was part of the Parcours US program at Arts et Métiers in Paris during the 2023-2024 academic year. Prior to that, I began my studies at Arts et Métiers in Bordeaux after completing a two-year preparatory class.

AFAM: What was the most challenging for you first when you applied to American Universities and second, when you arrived in California?

Charles: 

The biggest challenge during the application process was learning how to write great cover letters. The application system in the U.S. is very different from what we have in France. To apply to American universities, you need to submit multiple essays that highlight who you are beyond just academics. There’s the Statement of Purpose, which focuses on your academic journey and career goals, and the Personal History Statement, which emphasizes your personal background and experiences. Additionally, three Letters of Recommendation are required, typically written by professors or internship supervisors.

When I arrived in California, my main challenge was adapting to this new academic system. I had to quickly transition my engineering vocabulary from French to English and quickly adapt to cultural differences.

AFAM: What are your favorite classes? And what do you like the most about your educational journey?

Charles: 

At Berkeley, I’ve had the opportunity to take a diverse range of courses. My favorite class is Vehicle Dynamics & Control, where I gained a deep understanding of integrating feedback control into dynamic systems. In this course, I worked on implementing traction control and ABS in vehicle systems, which significantly improved my skills in MATLAB.

Another class I really enjoyed was Statistics and Data Science for Engineers. It introduced me to machine learning and data management, providing powerful tools for analyzing and interpreting complex datasets. For my final project, I used machine learning techniques including neural networks and random forests to predict cholesterol levels based on dietary information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset.

I also had the opportunity to be part of UC Berkeley’s AI Racing Tech Team for my year-long Capstone Project, working with some of the world’s fastest self-driving vehicles, capable of reaching speeds of 300 km/h. Additionally, I had the chance to travel twice to Las Vegas for four-day trips, fully funded, to conduct on-track testing with other teams from other universities.

What I appreciate the most about my academic journey is its practical approach. Rather than focusing solely on theory, many courses emphasize hands-on projects, which have helped me better understand the underlying concepts. I highly recommend that students get involved in projects, as they provide invaluable learning experiences beyond what is taught in class.

AFAM: you are one of the Sequoia #2 grant recipients. Please tell us why it was important for you to get some financial support offered by AFAM?

Charles: 

AFAM, which stands for American Friends of Arts et Métiers, is an association of alumni in the U.S. that plays a key role in maintaining connections among graduates. It’s important for me to stay connected with people who share the same background, and AFAM also organizes valuable networking events.

The support from AFAM through the Sequoia #2 grant has been invaluable, not only in easing the financial burden of studying in the U.S. but also in allowing me to fully concentrate on my academic projects. Studying abroad comes with significant financial challenges, and this assistance has given me the freedom to focus on learning rather than worrying about my expenses. Beyond the financial aspect, receiving this grant is also a great source of encouragement, as it reflects the strength of the AFAM network and its commitment to supporting French students in their educational journey in the U.S.

AFAM: Do you like living in California? How do you like to spend your free time?

Charles: 

I really enjoy living in California, especially because of the wide range of activities available. The weather is also a big plus, unlike in France, the sun shines almost every day, making it easy to spend time outdoors.

One of the things I appreciate most is the variety of free activities on campus, including sports like tennis, soccer, basketball, and access to the gym and swimming pool at no extra cost. I'm also part of CHAOS, an association that organizes hiking trips. I joined one of their hikes to Pinnacles National Park, where they provided all the necessary equipment—tent, sleeping bag, backpack, and even a lamp completely free of charge.

In my free time, I also love exploring San Francisco with my friends. We visit places like the different piers, Golden Gate Park, and the Japanese Tea Garden. I even had the chance to attend a baseball game and see world-famous DJs like Kavinsky perform for less than $30. There’s always something exciting to do here!

AFAM: Any piece of advice you would like to give to parcours US students who will be arriving in the US next year?

Charles: 

My main advice for incoming Parcours US students is to be open to meeting new people. While it may be tempting to stick with the French community, it’s essential to build connections beyond that circle. Engaging with a diverse group of people will greatly enrich your experience.

I also strongly encourage getting involved in projects as much as possible. Hands-on experience makes a real difference on your CV and can open doors to exciting opportunities. Additionally, make the most of your free time, it’s one of your greatest assets. Whether you use it for networking events, personal projects, or job applications, investing time wisely can have a big impact on your future.

Lastly, I’d be happy to help and answer any questions from students interested in Parcours US or learning more about AFAM. Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn!

AFAM: Thank you

Pictures: courtesy of Charles

Berkeley Main Library

 Baker beach in San Francisco

Berkeley hills

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Published: 10 April 2025

To introduce myself in a few lines: I'm a student at Arts et Métiers. I'm currently pursuing a double degree in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

How I managed to get in Georgia Tech and the impact of the Sequoia #2 grant

During my first year at Arts et Métiers, I decided to apply for this Master of Science because I wanted to discover the United States in a prestigious university, while continuing my studies in the field of mechanical engineering.

The double degree begins with a semester in Metz, on the Georgia Tech Europe campus. After this semester, I did my end-of-studies internship, then arrived in Atlanta for a final semester, to complete my Master of Science. 

Study in the United States comes at a price, but I was lucky enough to get the Sequoia grant from AFAM. I'd like to thank them again for this invaluable financial support. AFAM also offers coaching for students going to the United States for internships or university exchanges.

Here are a few tips for students wishing to pursue this double degree, based on my own experience:

Tuition fees

Georgia Tech offers several opportunities to reduce tuition fees. For example, I was lucky enough to do a GTA in Metz, which involved assisting a math teacher. It required a bit of work, as I had to give classes twice a week during which I corrected exercises in front of several students. It was a very rewarding experience, and I was able to take advantage of a substantial tuition discount for this semester at Georgia Tech Europe.

If you're interested in research, you can also apply for a GRA, which allows you to work in a laboratory and earn a monthly salary. I wasn't interested in research, but I recommend that you look into it, as every year, students from Arts et Métiers benefit from it.

Subjects

Another interesting aspect of this double degree is that Georgia Tech offers you the possibility of choosing the subjects you want to take, with respect to a few conditions. One of these conditions is that you have to take a Mathematics course (either in Metz or in Atlanta). I advise you to take this course in Metz (Math 6701): the teacher is very pedagogical, speaks French if you have difficulties and the program isn't really complicated compared to what we've seen previously during our studies.

Another course I recommend taking in Metz is Acoustics 1 (ME 6760). The teacher is fascinating, the lessons are clear and the tests are not too complicated.

Finally, since it's up to you to choose your subjects, don't forget that in Atlanta you'll have more choices than in Metz. But since the double degree starts in Metz, be careful not to close any doors: if you really want to take a certain course, it will have to comply with the Master of Science requirements.

Accommodation

In Metz: classes take place either on the Arts et Métiers campus or at Georgia Tech Europe. The two institutions are not far apart, and there are many student residences in the vicinity. But don't start your application too late!

In Atlanta: the campus is very large, but it includes a number of residences for which it is possible to register and reserve a room. The process is generally well explained and managed with Georgia Tech Europe's administration, if you're interested. Alternatively, there's Homepark, a neighborhood with lots of houses, located north of campus, where many students live in shared apartments. Personally, I'd recommend getting roommates, it's much nicer. My roommate and I found our house on Airbnb. As for rent, overall it's super expensive, no matter where you live. As far as I know, prices vary between $900 and $1,200... it's a big part of the budget.

Leisure activities, trips

In terms of leisure activities, the campus offers a wide range of sports to practice: just ask around. There's a large weight room, swimming pools, basketball courts, tennis courts... all available to students, so make the most of it. You can also watch college football games at Georgia Tech's stadium, which is really fun.

In Atlanta, I really recommend going to Mercedes Benz Stadium at least once. It's a really huge stadium and it creates a really special atmosphere.

This double degree is also an opportunity to discover the United States. Don't hesitate to rent a car and explore Georgia's surroundings. For example, I spent a few days in Charleston with some friends during Fall Break. We were also lucky enough to visit San Francisco for a weekend thanks to AFAM. If you get the chance to go, I obviously recommend it, even if it's quite far: San Francisco is nothing like Atlanta. We also plan to go to New York and Chicago before returning to France.

Overall, I'm really pleased with this experience. I'd never been to the United States before, and I loved discovering this country. Coming from France, you're not completely disoriented, but there's still a bit of a culture shock.

Please read in our "Take My Word For It" series:

Interview with Edmond Loubeyre ( Ch 222)

Interview with Julie Coheleah ( Bo 221)

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Published: 02 April 2025

It is for the second year in a row, that AFAM, together with English teachers Edna O'Dea and Christine White, invites US-based alumni to join 1-year Aix-en-Provence students during their English classes.

Alumni talk about their career, job and experience in the US and then the students join in with their questions.

Edna O'Dea comments: "We have already worked on resumes, cover letters, job descriptions and interview techniques in English but through lack of time we are only able to touch on these points.  In the previous term we looked at some intercultural differences and aspects of studying abroad, again only an introduction. Therefore, alumni's input would be invaluable in talking about their experiences of applying for jobs and working in North America, especially in terms of what they would have liked to know as Arts & Métiers students themselves"

Edna O'Dea continues: “The alumni were as enthusiastic about sharing their stories as the students were about hearing them so the atmosphere during the sessions was fun as well as informative. The alumni were particularly open and generous with information about their work, US culture and even their personal life, making the sessions genuinely interesting and engaging."

These sessions are also an opportunity to learn more about AFAM, its programs and activities.

AFAM would like to thank Gadz'Arts volunteers Nicolas Horde, Audren Cloître, Corentin Lazarus, Jean-Marc Mommessin, Benjamin Miséréré and Jérémy Fabien for their time and desire to share their experience with students! We are looking forward to the new sessions in the next 2026!

Picture: Nicolas Horde talking to students