Antoine, a 23-year-old officer cadet at École de l’Air et de l’Espace (French Air and Space Force Academy), recently arrived in Hanoi to complete his internship at USTH. It is part of his journey to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming an Air Force officer
USTH: Your internship is part of the engineering degree at École de l’Air et de l’Espace (EAE), which is a French military school that trains Air Force officers, Air Force mechanics, and Air Force base officers. Why did you choose Vietnam and USTH?
Antoine: Our training to become Air and Space Force Officers starts with an engineering degree. This degree requires us to undertake an internship at the end of our program which lasts 18 weeks for Air Force officers and 21 weeks for other branches. The internship provides an opportunity to acquire practical experience and expand our viewpoints. I was keen to immerse myself in a new culture, which led me to Southeast Asia. After thoughtful consideration, I chose Vietnam, a country known for its rapid development and rich scientific, cultural, and natural diversity. USTH was the ideal place for my internship, thanks to its extensive collaborations with French institutions. Additionally, its location in Hanoi ensures a comfortable living environment for me.
USTH: Can you describe your educational background and what led you to choose the path to become an Air and Space Force Officer?
Antoine: My educational path has followed a fairly traditional route. I completed my baccalaureate in engineering science in Moselle before attending a preparatory program for EAE at the Air Cadets School in Grenoble. I didn’t pass the entrance exam on my first attempt, leading me to spend three years there. My determination paid off when I was admitted to EAE in August 2021. My childhood dream, which I had nurtured since I was ten, finally came true. I have been passionate about aeronautics since I was little and knew early on that I wanted to pursue it as a career. My parents used to take me to as many airshows as possible. It was where I gained exposure to the military and ignited my desire to become a military pilot.
My ultimate goal is to become a fighter pilot, specifically flying a two-seater Rafale. Teamwork is critical to me, and this role would involve a broad spectrum of missions, including air superiority, surveillance, and airspace policy.
USTH: How do you prepare for your professional training?
Antoine: To effectively prepare for my training, it’s crucial to consistently work hard academically and maintain physical fitness, as we also need to pass athletic tests during the competitive exams. Keeping your dream in focus at all times motivates you to navigate the numerous challenges that arise throughout the course, particularly during the preparation phase.
USTH: What benefits do you anticipate from your international internship at USTH?
Antoine: An international internship is very beneficial as it exposes you to global work and learning environments. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience new cultures, which is invariably enriching. Furthermore, it is also a chance to meet many new people, thus helping you to form a robust international network. From my point of view, this experience pushes you out of your comfort zone for a few months while fostering your personal and professional growth under circumstances you’re not usually exposed to in France. For me, it previews what my future missions around the globe might entail, but this time from a scientific perspective.
USTH: Based on our experience here, what do you think are the strengths of USTH?
Antoine: USTH is a young and resource-rich university that attracts diverse Vietnamese and international students. It offers a variety of academic programs and research directions, which are vital for Vietnam’s development. A significant advantage of USTH is having many contributors, many of whom are from France. They stay at USTH for short or medium periods. They bring their knowledge from different fields, which enriches the learning environment at USTH. During my internship, I even had the opportunity to meet professionals from Japan!
USTH: Why would you encourage young people to participate in an international exchange program?
Antoine: An international exchange is a rare opportunity during our training, and it’s one we should seize because of its substantial benefits. As I mentioned earlier, it offers numerous professional advantages and enriches our social lives. Specifically, it allows us to meet students and expatriates from around the world, facilitating intellectual and cultural exchanges.
USTH: What qualities are essential for being an officer, and which of these do you embody most?
Antoine: Indeed, an officer needs to be versatile and possess many qualities, though achieving perfection in all of them is impossible. I believe team spirit and humanity are very important because we’re all part of a large team that relies on each other to accomplish our goals. Over my career, I have acquired the rigor and discipline necessary for my job. However, I still need to work on improving my efficiency.
USTH: Can you share with us what you do in your free time?
Antoine: The training is intense, but we still have some free time, especially on weekends. I take advantage of these moments to play sports, spend time with friends, and pursue my passions: motorcycling, skydiving, and flying recreational aircraft at flying clubs.
USTH: Could you share with us an interesting story or what you’ve enjoyed most since arriving in Vietnam, especially at USTH?
Antoine: More than just a single story, it’s the overall experience of being in Vietnam that’s truly remarkable. The culture and landscapes are very different from what I’m used to, and I find myself amazed by something new every day. Living here is a pleasure due to the incredible hospitality of the Vietnamese. For example, while hiking in the northern mountains, I was invited to lunch by a group of locals eager to share their customs and culture with me. Ultimately, whether at USTH or elsewhere in Vietnam, the quality of life is wonderful and the relationship with local people is meaningful and enriching.
