ALUMNI STORIES 2021– BUILD YOUR FUTURE WITH FRANCE WITH OUR FRENCH GOVERNMENT EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS

Since 2000, the French Consulate has supported more than 100 students from Hong Kong and Macau in pursuing a Master’s degree in France.

The Alexandre Yersin Excellence Scholarship goes hand in hand with promoting the excellence, diversity and quality of French higher education, and encourages deeper cooperation between France, Hong Kong and Macau. Through this scholarship, France is committed to building a diverse cohort of remarkable leaders who can further developments and international understanding in their respective fields.

Being a laureate not only provides you access to quality and accessible education; it also opens doors to new cultural perspectives, as well as 800+ French companies in Hong Kong, driven by an entrepreneurial French community of more than 20,000 people.

For those of you who are thinking of pursuing a Master’s degree in France, hear from some of our current French Government Excellence Scholars about their experiences:

Scholarship Awarded: 2020-2021

Institution: ESCP Europe Business School

Degree: Master in Science (MSc) specialisation ‘Big Data and Business Analytics’

''I feel tremendously thankful and privileged to have a student life in Paris amid the prolonged world health challenge. Before coming to Paris for my Masters in Big Data & Business Analytics at ESCP Business school, I was slightly worried about the situation. However, upon arrival, I see the endeavour and resilience of the French people in upholding the quality and elegance in their everyday life, which makes me realise that "new normal" does not necessarily have to mean compromising the quality of living. And I do not mean a luxurious life, but the attitude of living fully.

Everyday I go to school with thanks to the very convenient sharing bike, and get stunned by the most Parisian scenes decorated by Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower. At the school, the course covers the European tech and business landscape while enabling me to acquire sophisticated data science knowledge. After school, sometimes I take an evening walk near the Seine, and wonder if I am a character in a French movie. Also, Paris retains its circular cityscape from its early days, so every corner is picturesque in itself. 

In the past, Europe was a very vague concept to me - my imagination was sort of limited to its glamorous side. But thanks to Campus France for this opportunity, and through connecting with classmates from different parts of Europe and the world, I can now discover the many facets of France, each of them shining like a sapphire. ''

Scholarship awarded: 2021-2022

Institution: ESSEC Business School

Degree: Master in Management - Grande Ecole

''Everything happens for a reason. I am glad that I took the French language as a minor during my undergraduate studies. This beautiful language aroused my interest in studying in France so that I can ameliorate my French proficiency. After attending the language schools in 3 cities including Tours, Toulouse and Bordeaux, I am determined to pursue my master’s degree in France so that I can experience different cultures in the francophone regions.

There are so much to be loved in this culturally diversified country. The gastronomy, the wine and cheese, the architecture, the museums… to name but a few. I genuinely enjoy my stay in France which does not only broaden my horizon, but also teaches me the importance of respecting local culture.

I am very grateful for the support from Campus France Hong Kong as they always reply my enquiries promptly. The Alexandre Yersin Scholarship also offers help to scholars pursuing postgraduate studies in France. Apart from the monetary support, the Scholarship provides a social security insurance and advice upon arrival which are very useful especially when you are not familiar with the French administration.

Pursue your dream if you wish to study in France. I am confident that this country will never disappoint you.''

Scholarship awarded: 2021-2022

Institution: Sorbonne Université

Degree: Master in HAA : Histoire de l'Art : Expertise et marché de l'art - FI

''I am truly grateful for the Alexandre Yersin scholarship as it allows me to pursuit my master’s degree in Art Market at the École du Louvre. 

I am given the opportunity not only to learn at one of the best art schools in the world, but also to be integrated in a French environment where I get to see things from a new perspective – the understanding of the Francophone universe adds a third dimension to a Chinese- and English-speaking Hongkonger’s worldview. Together with all the museum visits, endless exhibitions, art fairs and concerts, this cultural immersion is incomparable. And I believe this is what makes Alexandre Yersin recipients unique and different from the rest. ''

Scholarship awarded: 2021-2022

Institution: Sciences Po Paris

Degree: Master in Governing the Large Metropolis

After spending two years in Reims for my undergraduate studies in political science, I am now pursuing a Master’s degree in ‘Governing the Large Metropolis’ at Sciences Po Paris, whose education and professional training would help me in achieving my aspirations - making cities better places to live.

The graduate programme at Sciences Po stresses very much on a comparative approach in analysing urban governance and how the forces of urban planning, the economy, politics and culture intersect with one and other within and beyond the urban. Unlike the Anglo-Saxon tradition that differentiates urban planning and urban studies, the French word “urbanisme” denotes a wide array of knowledge encompassing, for instance, the practices of spatial organisation, impact of public policy, and the socio-political dynamics in cities. The combination of theory and hands-on practice is what makes the French way of studying urban governance stand out from the rest.

Living in Paris gives me the opportunity to meet people from all sorts of background and expand my international exposure while discovering the richness in culture that the French capital has to offer. “On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux,” wrote Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Just as a city is not only about its built environment, the culture of its people is what matter the most but at the same time often overlooked. That is to say, France not only broadened my horizons, but also taught me how to look at the world with my own heart.

Without the Alexandre Yersin Excellence Scholarship, not to mention the generosity of the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau and Campus France Hong Kong, my journey to France would not be made possible. Here, I would like to extend my gratitude to France, and encourage those who dare to follow your heart.

Scholarship awarded: 2021-2022

Institution:  Institut polytechnique de Paris

Degree: Master in Mathématiques appliquées, statistique - Applied Mathematics, Statistics

It is my honour to receive the Alexandre Yersin Scholarship in 2021. After my graduation from the University of Hong Kong in 2020, I decided to further my study in quantitative finance in France to pursue my career as a quantitative researcher in the financial industry. Currently, I am a master student of the programme Probability and Finance (ex DEA El Karoui) at Ecole Polytechnique/Sorbonne University, which is also one of the most renowned programmes in the industry of quantitative finance. The intensive emphasis on the mathematical rigour of this programme astonished me and soon became the biggest challenge in my student career, which explained why the graduates from this programme were famous for their technicalities in financial mathematics and were well-recognised by hedge funds and banks. However challenging and demanding the courses are, they excited me because that was precisely what I was looking for when I decided to study quantitative finance in France. I am very confident that those rigorous training will improve my competitiveness and help me to survive in the fierce competition.

Besides academics, studying in France also allowed me to experience a different lifestyle. Not only is the lifestyle in France different from that in Hong Kong, but is also dissimilar to those in the Anglo-Saxons. In general, life in France is more carefree, less stressful, and slower-paced. Living in France enabled me to compare various styles of living and consider what kinds of lifestyle I would prefer for the rest of my life because indeed, there are more options than I would have realised and it will be all up to my choices.

Thanks to the scholarship, I enjoyed the world-class education and a life-inspiring experience almost free of charge. I am very grateful for the generosity of Campus France Hong Kong. I am glad that I decided to study in France and I will never regret it.

Scholarship awarded: 2021-2022

Institution: Institut d'études politiques de Lyon

Degree: Combined Degree Programme in European Studies

It is my great honour to receive the Alexandre Yersin Excellence Scholarship this year in 2021, which gives me support and the opportunity to pursue my degree in SciencesPo Lyon. In France, I have experienced a lot, not only its magnificent culture but also its excellent learning environment. I have been immersed in the atmosphere of discussion and debates on wide-ranging political issues. I also got chances to work with the French students on public policy project which I am really enjoy in it. On the other hand, I could meet friends from all over the world and discover Lyon, one of the metropolitan and multicultural cities in France. 

Last but not least, I have to admit that Campus France has offered their greatest support before and after my arrival in France, which makes my journey much more comfortable. Without those kinds of support, I would not be able to pursue my dream to study and to work in France after the degree.

Scholarship awarded: 2021-2022

Institution: Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin

Degree: OIV MSc in Wine Management

In September 2021, I have turned over a new page of my wine journey in France by continuing my studies on MSc in Wine Management organised by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), after working 7 years in Hong Kong wine industry. 

In the past 2 months, I have visited more than 60 wine producers in 9 wine regions including Loire Valley, Burgundy, Jura, Savoie, Rhône Valley and Southern France, as well as met professionals from different sectors such as viticulture, winemaking, science, marketing, supply chain and retail in the French wine industry. 

The experience has widened my horizon, strengthened my professional skills and has brought me lots of insights and new thoughts about the wine industry. Meanwhile, I am really impressed by the French culture, different cities’ characteristics and the people here. J'aime la france !

Thanks to the Alexandre Yersin Scholarship, it provides many opportunities and resources to support my wine journey as well as helps me to adapt to the life in France. 

Let’s make your dream comes true by applying to the Alexandre Yersin Scholarship if you are planning to start your master study in France ! 

French Government Excellence Scholars receive an outstanding education, access to a global network of alumni, and experts in their relevant industries. Let France support you in taking your professional and personal development to the next level.

Just like our awardees, make your dreams in France come true and apply before the 24th of April 2022 via our newly launched online application platform.

To learn more about the scholarship, click here, or contact us at: campusfrance@consulfrance-hongkong.org.