"After passing Bac S (equivalent of scientific A' levels), I opted for the anabiotec vocational training certificate (biological and biotechnologies analyses). For me, going to university went hand in hand with failure:  too many students, not enough supervision... so I chose an industry that combined science and professional experience notably with a 3 month work placement in the departmental water laboratory of the teaching hospital of ?. At the age of 20, a vocational training certificate in my pocket, I didn't feel sufficiently equipped:  so I wanted to continue studying. I was accepted at several schools and I chose ESAIP."
Why ESAIP? "For the international courses of course!" In the beginning I thought I was going alone, but no, we all go!  Not to the same place but it's reassuring all the same when there are 4 or 5 of you in a foreign university instead of being alone.  If you want to go alone you can do a work placement.  The other schools also offer trips overseas but it's up to the student to do everything, and it's easy to say you'll go but put it off to a later date.  Everything is organised at Esaip".  Today Emilie is ready to set off for her final year work placement. She is now considering continuing studying...why not a PhD?