Sandrina Ramanantsoa ‘00 When did you attend the Lycée International ? How did you end up in the American Section? I originally come from Madagascar, where I was studying at the American School of Antananarivo with daily French tutoring classes. Back then, the American School was relatively small in size and classes offered did not go beyond 8th-9th grade. Since I was educated in a bilingual environment, it was best for me to go abroad and continue in an international system. Before attending the Lycée International, I was at the Collège Marcel Roby, and in 1997 there was an opening allowing me to attend the Lycée International in the American Section and to complete my French Baccalauréat OIB. I graduated in 2000 with a Bac ES. What have you been up to since you graduated from the Lycée? After the OIB, I graduated with a B.A. in International Politics from the American University of Paris and a dual bilingual Master’s degree from the American University of Paris & the Institut Catholique de Paris in International Affairs. During my last year of studies, my father became gravely ill and I decided to go back to Madagascar to be close to my family. While there, I contributed to the family businesses which were involved in the industry, pharmaceutical and hospitality sectors. I was also elected to the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Madagascar, in which I held the position of Vice-President from 2017-2019. In 2016, and while still working, I decided to pursue further distance studies to become a gemologist. I graduated as a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (FGA) end 2018, and I am now in the beginnings of my new career in the gem industry. What do you feel like you gained from your American Section experience, either in or out of the classroom, that has carried over into your current life or driven your life choices? I think it would be the understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of cultural diversity. I really think my years at the Lycée International, in the American Section, have encouraged and planted within me this open-mindedness during my pre-adult years. With regards to the language aspect, I have continued to stay in close proximity with the anglophone or American-speaking communities, even in Madagascar. And switching from one language to the other
from one sentence to the next is definitely something I have carried with me since my Lycée years! Do you have any advice for current students who might be interested in going into your profession? Is there anything they could do to prepare for it now? I would recommend staying as much as possible in an international system and/or continue higher education within some form of a bilingual educational system. Even if you go to the United States for college, try to stay within an international framework. Beyond education, careers are also built thanks to relationships and networking. So, I suggest to current students to go out there and meet people in their desired fields: go to trade shows, industry events, meetings or gatherings that are related and relevant to your desired field or future profession. Never stop being curious and learn as much as you can outside of the classroom. If you are lucky you may find a mentor, if not, at least you will gain invaluable insights. Anything else you would like to add? Enjoy to the fullest your Lycée International and American Section years and remember what makes it unique. Also remember that adaptability is ingrained within you as you have evolved in a unique international context. Some of you may know exactly what you want to do after high school and some may not, and that is fine too. Life is bound to take you places and wherever you go, know that you have the capability to adapt quite easily. Are you still in touch from people from the Lycée? Yes absolutely, even though most of us have our lives, we still are in contact from time to time via social media or through travels. I also have friends from other class years and from other sections, including the British, Spanish, and Italian sections.
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