March interview series: interview with Marie Imad (Ch 223)

Details: Published: 30 March 2026

March is International Women's History Month and International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th! This month in our blog, we would like to highlight a few very inspiring and motivational journeys of A&M female students and former students. Today our interviewee is Marie Imad (Ch 223).

AFAM: Hello Marie, and thank you for being with us today. You are a Graduate engineering student majoring in mechanical engineering at Stanford University. And you went through the parcours US program. Could you please tell us a few words about the road that led you to Arts et Metiers and most importantly why and when you decided to become an engineer?

Marie:

I’ve always been drawn to challenging environments, which naturally led me to start with a preparatory class in France. I really enjoyed the intensity and the challenge, and I’ve always been curious and interested in science, especially mathematics and physics.

I also grew up in a very scientific environment, with a father who is an engineer and a brother who went through a top engineering school. Being surrounded by these strong figures pushed me to aim high from a young age. As a woman, it never discouraged me — it actually made me want to prove that I fully belonged in this field.

I chose Arts et Métiers because it is known for being very strong in mechanical engineering. I liked the idea of becoming someone who really understands how systems work and how to build things. This is also where I started getting more interested in robotics.

AFAM: Could you tell us a bit more about your life and studies at Stanford University? What do you enjoy the most about your education journey?

Marie:

Studying at Stanford is both exciting and demanding. Being in Silicon Valley, you are constantly surrounded by people building things, launching startups, and working on new technologies. It constantly pushes you to improve and step out of your comfort zone.

I’m currently focusing on robotics, statistics, and AI. What I really like is that everything is very concrete — you don’t just learn theory, you apply it.

One of my favorite experiences so far has been teaching. During the winter quarter, I helped teach and grade a PhD-level mathematics course. I really loved it — it was one of my most rewarding experiences. Explaining complex ideas, interacting with students from very different backgrounds, and seeing them progress was incredibly fulfilling.

More generally, what I enjoy the most is the people. You constantly meet new personalities and inspiring individuals — sometimes even public figures. For example, I had the chance to attend talks given by people like Roger Federer, which was a very memorable experience. It really shows how diverse and inspiring the Stanford environment can be.

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

Marie:

The most challenging part has been the pace and the level of expectations. Everything moves very fast here, especially in the Bay Area.

At first, I found it quite intimidating. It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough or not good enough, especially when you are surrounded by very talented people. But I’ve learned that this feeling is normal. The key is to stay confident, trust yourself, and keep going.

AFAM: Can you share a little bit about your future plans?

Marie:

I would like to build intelligent systems that can operate in real-world environments, especially in robotics and AI. In the short term, I hope to gain more hands-on experience through internships.

Being in the Bay Area is very inspiring, and I would love to continue growing in this kind of environment, where you are constantly challenged and surrounded by innovation.

AFAM: You live in the SF Bay Area. How do you like it? How do you spend your free time?

Marie:

I really enjoy living in the Bay Area. It’s a very unique place with a strong energy around innovation.

I’m also close to Berkeley, so I like going there from time to time. What I find quite funny is that even casual conversations in cafés often turn into discussions about the latest algorithms or startup ideas — you really feel surrounded by some of the brightest minds.

I also enjoy going to sports events during the week, especially American football games. One of the highlights is the “Big Game” against Berkeley, which is a very important and exciting rivalry between the two universities.

In my free time, I enjoy exploring, spending time with friends, and just taking advantage of everything the area has to offer. I also enjoy playing sports, especially tennis, and sharing simple moments with people I care about. It helps me stay balanced in such a fast-paced environment.

AFAM: thank you, Marie!