Empowered Through BGA

To help you understand me better, I was born in France but am also Senegalese from my parents so I have dual nationalities.

I began my early educational journey in my home country, Senegal, at the French school Jean Mermoz Highschool in Dakar. Then I completed my high school years in three different West African countries—Togo, Guinea and then back to Senegal for my last year—all at French schools.

At the beginning of my college year, I chose to take classe préparatoires aux grandes écoles (CPGE)—preparatory classes—for two years at one of the best CPGE providers in France: the Lycée Pierre De Fermat High School. The classes are part of the French post-secondary education system and comprise two years of study (extendable to three or, exceptionally, four years). They are intensive preparatory courses designed to prepare students for national competitive exams in order to be allowed to enroll in one of the very selective grandes écoles in science, business and economics. The workload is one of the highest in Europe—29 to 45 contact hours a week, with up to 10 hours of guided tutorials and oral exam sessions.

After passing the exam, I was enrolled in a Top 10 Grandes Écoles de Commerce (School of Business) called TBS Education in Toulouse, located in the south of France. I took general classes to learn about the fundamentals of business before determining a specialization. I will graduate next year with a double degree: M.Sc. (Master of Science) in controlling and risk management and Master in Management.

Aside from the educational experience, it is the people who made my semester in Berkeley memorable.

Academic Aspirations

UC Berkeley is known worldwide for the quality of the lecturers and course content, as well as the enriching student life. And California is a really attractive state!

Also, I am a very competitive student, so when I learned that to be accepted into this program you needed to have good grades and a TOEFL exam score of at least 90, I made it my personal goal for the year. And I'm happy to say that I've succeeded!

Once at UC Berkeley, I took Auditing UGBA 126, Strategic Cost Management UGBA 128, Leading Strategy Implementation UGBA 174 and Equity Fluent Leadership and Personal Brand UGBA 192T.

These courses completely fit in with my controlling and risk management master’s program, where I’m learning about internal auditing, managerial accounting, strategy and financial intelligence. Because of the Auditing class with professor Tiffany Rasmussen—whom I loved—I looked for a summer internship in Senegal at audit firm Forvis Mazars en AOC to discover this profession even more.

Taking classes with other UC Berkeley students and with Berkeley faculty was interesting because as a visiting student, you are immersed in the real American student experience. It is enhanced by the professors who consider and treat every student the same!

At Berkeley, we can see our professors during office hours, which we don't have access to in France. These professors are more open to having discussions outside of class about the course material or anything else.

I even had a teacher invite me to a coffee shop to get to know each other more because I couldn't attend her class as it was full! I don't see that often in France.

Moreover, there were a lot of guest speakers, which is interesting because we also get to hear real-life experiences!

Enjoying Berkeley to Its Fullest

I joined two student clubs based on my hobbies: Fashion and Student Trends (FAST) as a stylist and a show department member, and at Her Campus, the first online magazine for women on campus, as a marketing team member.

Before arriving at Berkeley, I knew I wanted to be in a fashion club and so FAST immediately won me over when I learned about it. Working in the Styling department, I directed a photo shoot with a great team that comprised models, photographers, videographers and makeup artists. For my other position in the club—show department member—I participated in the organization of the biggest fashion shows in the Bay Area. I'm delighted to have been given this opportunity!

I also attended a fake Nigerian wedding—what a surprise when my friend sent me an invitation to this! When I arrived at the Pauley Ballroom, I realized that the Nigerian Students Association was no joke when it came to showcasing their culture: Introducing the fake groom and bride, and the in-laws; the exchange of vows; hosting a DJ, caterer and a great Nigerian artist; and exceptional traditional outfits and dances were all on the agenda!

I also had the privilege to visit Google's headquarters during an organized trip. Guided by host Walter Jang, a Google software engineer, I explored the inner workings of this iconic company. The visit was truly awe-inspiring! There were relaxation areas and sports facilities and an abundance of cafes and restaurants. But above all, there was an atmosphere of creativity and innovation at every turn.

What struck me the most were the core values that Google embodies: putting the consumer at the heart of their decisions, striving for excellence, and constantly innovating and optimizing to enhance the user experience.

I also enjoyed so many other adventures, such as watching a basketball game, visiting Deloitte, exploring San Francisco and taking Mandarin lessons at the Student Learning Center Language Exchange Program.

I enjoyed my semester thanks to all of these experiences!

My Advice to You

Here are my top five things to do while in Berkeley:

• Get a hot matcha latte from Caffè Strada (the best in town in my opinion).
• Study in Moffitt Library.
• Have a picnic on the glade.
• Eat brunch at Cafe Etoile.
• Attend a sports game.

Don't hesitate to meet new people! Aside from the educational experience, it is the people who made my semester in Berkeley memorable.

You meet students from all around the world, who have different stories and experiences. Don't be afraid to listen to them and to share your story. There is something about Berkeley that enables people to connect easily and build strong relationships no matter their age, nationalities or language.

So join clubs and associations, engage in the activities offered by the BGA program, and go out and seize every opportunity to surround yourself with good energies!

Life After Graduation

I plan to find a job in the fashion industry in a finance, accounting or audit position. It is the perfect blend of my passion and abilities. I’m open to moving anywhere and discovering new cultures.

Most importantly, I see myself working in a company where I feel empowered, with a great balance between my career and my personal life. I also want to have an impact in my other home country, Senegal, or at least in Africa. So maybe you will hear about me creating an innovative and revolutionary business or association that will help my country thrive—who knows?!