Each year, the University of Caen Normandy is pleased to welcome students from the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship programme. This programme is only open to students who can demonstrate academic excellence. Developed by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, it enables French higher education establishments to attract the best foreign students, in order to train future foreign decision-makers in the private and public sectors in priority areas of study.

Among the recent winners, Janisha Santhmayor, an Indian  student  and graduate of the Master's in Management and International Business, Franco-American course at the IAE in Caen. She talks about her career and her experience at the University of Caen Normandy.

A course of excellence

I'm originally from India, and was born and raised in Mumbai. After my secondary education, where I specialised in commerce and was ranked in the top 1%, I decided to study management. I obtained a bachelor's degree in management from the University of Mumbai. I ranked in the top 5% of my class. After graduating, I entered the corporate world and worked for nearly three years before coming to France for my postgraduate studies. I was a project manager for the Tata group, one of India's largest industrial conglomerates. I was rewarded by the CEO for managing the largest and most complex project in one year.

Why did you choose the University of Caen Normandy?

I chose IAE Caen because the programme matched my academic and professional needs and expectations. I thought the subjects were interesting and that the possibility of doing two internships would make it easier for me to network and enter a professional environment. Moreover, I was awarded the prestigious Eiffel scholarship, fully funded by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, to do this Master's degree. This enabled me to fulfil my dream of doing a Master's degree in France. Without the scholarship, it would have been unimaginable. Another important reason why I chose this programme was the opportunity to learn from American professors from renowned universities in the United States. Finally, the presence on campus of professionals from various French companies to teach us about different subjects enriched the programme and made it more practical and concrete. Overall, I'm satisfied with the programme and I'm really happy to have joined IAE Caen.

Highlights of the Caen experience

I think it was the second day of my arrival in Caen (because the first day I was really exhausted). On the second day, I was really excited about visiting the city of Caen, which I'd only seen in photos. So I visited the castle, several old churches, the Abbaye-aux-Dames and the Abbaye-aux-Hommes and I absolutely loved it!
The second highlight was the day I defended my dissertation and, although I've done a lot of presentations in my life, that day was the most important because it was the last and most important academic presentation of my life. A few days later, I received my results, I got my Master's degree with first class honours, I called my parents to tell them, and at that moment, I felt that years of hard work had finally paid off.

Life in Caen in a few words

I really like Caen, it became my second home. I love this city, which isn't so big but isn't so small either. I'm fascinated by its medieval architecture, its history of rebirth after the Second World War and its touch of modernity. I can say that I've fallen in love with Normandy and all its little villages and towns. Normandy and its people made me feel very welcome. After two years, I feel like I'm part of Caen and Normandy.

What's next?

I'm continuing my career as a project manager, because that's something I enjoy doing. I was recently hired by a Japanese multinational, Murata Manufacturing, in Caen. Murata is a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of advanced electronic components.