I didn't apply to any other universities. When I found out about BTÌìÌÃ, I just knewÌýit wasÌýwhere I had to be. At the time, I was studying at Santa Monica College in California. I wasn't planning on leaving California to continue my education, but as soon as the idea of BTÌìÌà entered my mind, I couldn't shake it. BTÌìÌà was nothing like I expected it to beÌý– itÌýdefies expectations.ÌýI believe I have become a more interesting and understanding person thanks to my travels with the Cultural Program and my experiences with other students.ÌýÌý
I came to BTÌìÌà thinking that I was going to become a therapist. My time at BTÌìÌà encouraged me to explore parts of myself I hadn’t ever allowed myself to explore. The creative nonfiction class as an undergrad, and later the digital media writing class as a graduate student, encouraged me to be more serious about my writing.ÌýEnrolling in the MAGC program opened my eyes to a career in communications.ÌýNow I’m doing a copywriting internship at Deezer, a French online music streaming service, andÌýliving a life that the Monique from four years ago could never have imagined.Ìý
The most enduring memory for me is the feeling of community. During my time as an undergraduate, I was involved in theÌýStudentÌýSenate, I was a student advisor, andÌýI nearlyÌýalways showed up to events. After I graduated in 2018, I thought I was going to live in Morocco but that only lasted about four months. I came back to Paris with little to nothing and not sure of my next steps. BTÌìÌà welcomed me back as aÌýgraduate student, and the people I knew who were still there, students and faculty, helped me reestablish my life in Paris.ÌýI think the most beautiful part of BTÌìÌà is that it’s a safe space to be who you are.Ìý
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Mobilising alumni, students and faculty to be part of the solution
The objective of my thesis was to explore the emergence of Participatory Rural Appraisal, to examine how it has been conceived theoretically in development...
My experience at BTÌìÌà transformed my life and career in so many ways.