Born in a small town in Brazil called Nilópolis, Mardia Alcantara is a young woman with a passion for science and languages. While graduating with a degree in Chemistry in 2023, she spent a semester studying at the University of Lille as part of her Chemistry and Life Sciences programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

This immersion in France was much more than an academic stay: it awakened in Mardia a real passion for the French language and culture. Upon her return to Brazil, she reinvented herself by becoming an independent French teacher and entrepreneur, with a clear mission: to promote a pluralistic and inclusive Francophonie, accessible to all.

International experience: a dream that became a springboard

For Mardia, studying abroad was a dream that had long seemed unattainable due to the costs associated with international mobility. But thanks to various French support programmes (CAF, Restos du Cœur) and a grant from her home university, she was able to make this project a reality.

Her stay was also marked by the support of the Maison Internationale, a help she describes as essential for completing the initial administrative steps.

She chose Lille, partly because of its strategic location in the heart of northern Europe, offering easy access to Belgium and many major European cities, but also for its rich history and reputation as a ‘welcoming city’. In fact, Mardia says, ‘I've always felt at home here!’

Academic and personal learning

Beyond theory, Mardia was able to complete a laboratory internship, a decisive experience that allowed her to acquire new technical skills and scientific rigour.

But it was above all the development of her independence that marked her time in Lille: ‘I learned to live alone, solve my own problems and have confidence in my abilities.’

She sums up her experience in Lille in three words: Tranquillity – Energy – Possibilities.

After Lille: a calling revealed

While her time in Lille reinforced her interest in chemistry, this exchange marked a decisive turning point in her career. Her university exchange helped her realise that her place was more in teaching French than in laboratories!

Today, Mardia supports Brazilian women who want to change their lives by mastering French. She sees it as a means of empowerment and transmission.

Driven by this momentum, she also decided to pursue another of her dreams: to study medicine. She attributes this bold career change to the confidence she gained during her experience in Lille: ‘My time in Lille showed me that I have the strength to achieve anything I want.’

Her message to future international students

‘Don't be afraid to speak French! Seek, dare, discover. Make the most of this experience that can change your life.’