IDIL Ambassadors

“Hi! I’m Alexandros, originally from Greece, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in oceanography.

After finishing elementary school, I came to work in France as part of an Erasmus placement program in a city near Montpellier. My supervisor at the time (and still today) heard that I was looking for a master’s program and suggested the newly established IDIL graduate program.

It’s funny to think that, at first, I thought there must be some catch to it—I mean, getting paid a monthly stipend and working on marine ecology, just like I’d always wanted? Fortunately, it was all true, and what’s more, I learned that the University of Montpellier is a leading institution in my field of research.

I was overjoyed when I was accepted and spent the entire summer preparing for the difficult transition of living in a foreign country. My anxiety, however, was unfounded, as the IDIL staff welcomed everyone and did their utmost to resolve any issues we might have, especially with the notorious French “paperwork.”

Having attended a Franco-Greek school, I was no stranger to French; however, I still wasn’t quite at the level of a typical French conversation, so it was great news that all my classes would be taught in English, which is an essential language for any researcher since almost all academic literature is written in it.

In addition, the IDIL program organized several events for us students to get to know people from the more than 10 IDIL tracks, and as a Greek, I really (really) enjoyed the parties. The professors were outstanding, teaching at a level befitting a leading institution in ecology, which made these social events even more essential for unwinding.

Finally, I really appreciated the two internships we completed during both spring semesters. I worked with my former Erasmus supervisor (now an IDIL mentor) and learned innovative modeling techniques from the best in the field.

"What took me so many words to say is, thanks, IDIL!" 

“I enrolled in IDIL without knowing much about the program, since I’m part of IDIL’s first cohort of master’s students in modeling, and it has exceeded my expectations.”

As a Spaniard who earned my bachelor’s degree in France, it has been really interesting to interact in a multicultural environment—something I missed during my undergraduate studies.

The non-core and cross-disciplinary courses in the first semester gave me insight into other fields and into the importance of soft skills in research. As a physics major, I feel that sometimes we become too focused on our own subject and lose sight of the interdisciplinary perspective and the importance of communication—insights that IDIL provided me with.

"During my six-month internship, I gained hands-on research experience that has proven invaluable and motivated me to pursue a PhD."

“I’ve made friends from all over the world and met people who have really changed the way I think.”

I love the structure of my program—the first semester focused on expanding my knowledge and providing me with the foundational concepts I needed for the internship, and the next semester is all about hands-on learning, applying those same concepts in a lab while surrounded by brilliant researchers.

This was my first experience as a student in France, and I took classes and spent time with students from the traditional master’s programs. After hearing about their experiences as master’s students, I felt more confident than ever about my decision to choose the IDIL program! It has been one of the most enriching periods of my life, and I’ve found myself succeeding in areas I never would have imagined—the “interdisciplinary” in IDIL is capitalized for a reason.

"Since most of these programs are new, I feel that I can chart my own path toward what I want to learn and who I want to become."

“One of the best decisions I made during my time in college was to pursue a master’s degree at IDIL.”

After the grueling pace of my undergraduate program, this master’s program gave me the space to explore and grow. The opportunity to take courses across different disciplines broadened my interdisciplinary understanding. Close interactions with professors helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses, allowing me to address them effectively. A lengthy internship introduced me to the research environment, and I realized that was the path I wanted to pursue.

On the social side, collaborating with students from around the world who were also part of this new program fostered a strong sense of connection. The activities organized by the master’s program further strengthened these bonds, and I never felt alone.

The motivated and dedicated organizing team consistently supported us. When I first arrived in France for my bachelor’s degree, I found little help or guidance from the university. However, for my master’s degree, from the moment I was accepted, I always found someone ready to assist and encourage me whenever I needed help or felt lost.

"I want to thank the IDIL team and my professors for this transformative year. See you next year!"

“It has been a truly wonderful experience to study at the university as an IDIL student.”

At the beginning of the year, we had the chance to learn French, which helped us adjust to life here.

During my internship, my supervisor has been very supportive and has offered many helpful suggestions. Everyone in the lab has also been very kind and has helped me a lot.

"In addition to coursework and internships, our program also organizes activities every two or three months at various houses. These events are a great way to get to know others in the program and learn about their work. It’s also very exciting to compete as a member of a house to win the games. For me, being an IDIL student has been a fulfilling and enriching experience."

“What I enjoy most about being an IDIL student is the opportunities and resources the program provides for exploring research.

I had the opportunity to speak with researchers and PhD students, and we had some truly valuable and interesting discussions. Having personal mentors to guide me through the process is also very important; their advice and support are essential. 

The courses and internships are tailored to my own research interests, making everything feel very personalized and relevant to my goals. It’s a unique setup that keeps me engaged and constantly learning. 

"My experience at IDIL has been incredibly rewarding and enjoyable!"