Fall 2000 - Spring 2001
International Exchange Students

"Hi my name is Charles Neuville, and I am 21 years old. I come from France, more accurately from Biarritz (South West of France). It is famous for its excellent living conditions, its sunny beaches, and various sports like rugby and surfing. Biarritz proves to be one of the trendiest cities in Europe. Actually, we can draw a parallel between San Diego and Biarritz. Although San Diego is more rowdy, both cities have the same living conditions like for example, the same kind of climate. Before arriving in Biarritz, I traveled a lot overseas. I lived in Lisbon, Portugal for 3 years, between the ages of 8 and 11 years old. Then I traveled to Spain, Italy, Greece, and finally landed in Turkey. Turkey is a fascinating country in regards to the civilizations it welcomed. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Turks followed one another. Traveling game me a thirst, the thirst for discovering new cultures and new countries. I also wanted to meet different people with different points of view and ways of thinking. As a result, I immigrated to a business school, the P’Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Montpellier, in order to go into the field of International Business. Our school was proposing us several destinations this year. I chose to go to the SDSU Imperial Valley Campus. It is the melting pot of circulations, and this area turned out to be very exciting. I am sure I made the right choice in choosing to come here.(Written 6/30/01)"

"Hi, my name is Arnaud Boissonnet. I’m 22 years old and I come from Clermont-Ferrand. It is a city, which is situated in the center of France, located by volcanic area. It is a very nice and wild area. I moved to the south of France (Montpellier), to enter in the “P’Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Montpellier,” a business school specialized in international business exchange programs. They offer a large choice of destinations to study abroad. I love traveling and have been to many countries such as: Brazil, Paraguay, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, North Africa, and almost every country in Europe. I really enjoy traveling to see people who come from different cultures. I like not only spending one or two months, but a whole year in places to live in. I’ve already traveled to California one year ago, and this region has become one of my favorites to live in. In comparing it to other places that I’ve been to, it is a great place to stay. Thus, it was natural for me to apply and enroll in school here, in California. I’m glad to be here in Calexico, which is located next to the Mexico border. It is a great place to live and discover new and different cultures.(Written 6/30/01)"

"Magali Fraysee, Age 23, Hometown: AURILLAC FRANCE, Written: 6/30/01. After high school I had to move out because there weren’t any universities in my hometown. I spent 2 years in Clermont-Ferrand preparing for the entry exam to the Graduate Business School of Montpellier. After a terrific year in Montpellier, I decided to enroll in the international programs of my school and I spent one year at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Being abroad and using your mind so much, you just feel like seeing more countries, experiencing life in different cultures. You want to learn more and more about foreign countries, their people, their habits, and their customs… everything! After a year in Canada, I had a one-year internship in an investment bank in Paris. Traveling opens your mind and it also enhances the love for your own country! I’ve never lived in Paris and I really wanted to experience life over there, which was great. Also, I had to decide where to go back to school to complete my Masters, so I needed to go abroad again, the United States. It would eventually be in California, to be exact, in Calexico. I knew this would be a small town, but I didn’t realize the Mexican culture would be so overwhelming. It made my year in Calexico even richer. I would invite all students to travel abroad. I would recommend them to visit and live in other countries, and meet other people. It is a personal challenge, but really worth it!"