Going abroad 

As a future engineer, you will inevitably come into contact with people from many different backgrounds in the course of your career, and will very probably work abroad too. You are expected to know how to work in such a context. This aptitude is best acquired by doing part of your higher education or by immersing yourself in a company or research laboratory in a foreign country. 

Why go abroad?

Like all future Centrale Lille graduates, during your studies you will be required to complete a compulsory period of international mobility.  

Depending on your course of study, this experience may be shorter or longer (3 months to 8 months) and take a more or less open format (company work placement, laboratory work placement, study semester, study year, double degree, etc.) but, in all cases, it will be one of the requirements for obtaining the engineering degree.  

This step will be a valuable experience and an opportunity for you to broaden your horizons, from which you can benefit greatly! 

Living an enriching experience for oneself 

Going abroad means moving into the unknown and discovering new horizons. With this ‘leap into the unknown’, you will learn to adapt and evolve in situations where uncertainty exists and where answers are not obvious. You’ll be forced to step out of your comfort zone and open yourself up to other ways of thinking. In this way, you will become more mature and open-minded. Knowing others better means knowing yourself better. 

Getting a taste of student life elsewhere… and differently 

The international experience will enable you to strengthen your language skills in English, Chinese, Japanese, German, Spanish, Italian, etc., and it will also show you that you can study, learn, and do research differently. You’ll be richer because you’ll have a more complete vision of the field of possibilities.   
 

→ Building your skills and professional future

International experience is also a great way to prepare for your future after your studies. During international placements, you will experience different working methods and corporate cultures on a daily basis. You’ll need to be more flexible and adaptable to meet expectations that are sometimes very different from what you’re used to. Moving abroad will also give you the opportunity to start developing your expertise in a particular country and build up your international professional network.