Marcus: "My experience also helped my professional life"
British alumni share their French experience with us.
Discover Marcus’s story!
Tell us a bit about yourself (where you’re from, what you do, what you have studied in France, and where)!
I am Marcus, from London. I studied for a diploma in international public administration at ENA in Strasbourg for one year, from 2016 – 2017. At that time, I worked for the UK’s ministry of foreign affairs, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). I decided to leave the FCO in 2019, and now lead on Europe Policy at Privitar, a tech start-up working on data privacy.
Why did you choose France?
It was an easy choice! Three reasons. First, ENA has a global reputation as one of the most prestigious public administration schools. Second, I wanted to improve my understanding of the French language and culture – building on my previous professional experience. Before I arrived in Strasbourg, I spent five years working in francophone Africa. First in Algeria then in a regional role in East Africa, based in Rwanda but with work in Burundi and Eastern D R Congo. Third, the FCO has agreements with several schools worldwide to support FCO staff pursuing professional development opportunities. That made the practical arrangements much easier.
How did your stay in France change who you are and impact your career?
Before I arrived in France, I had already lived in five countries. I arrived thinking that I would find France much more like the UK than anywhere I had previously lived. I was wrong. My time there taught me just how different close neighbours can be. And how much fun it can be to immerse yourself in and embrace those differences.
My experience also helped my professional life. I returned to London and worked on the bilateral UK – France relationship from the FCO’s headquarters. My language skills, and understanding of the French administrative system helped me to work effectively with counterparts in the French embassy in London and in Paris.
Your favourite word in French?
I loved my time on stage at Business France. My colleagues taught me some brilliant expressions: “ça casse pas trois pattes a un canard” was my favourite by a long way. I also loved “passer crème” as in “je passe crème” and the fact that one of them said she lived in “le trou de cul du monde”.
We hope you enjoyed your French culture shock! Any memorable cultural fact, experience?
So many memorable experiences to choose from! Top of the list has to be cycling sections of the route des vins (easily accessible from Strasbourg), with lots of stops for degustation. The landscape and the colour of the vines in the sunshine is unforgettable. The clinking of bottles in the bike basket as you head home means that you’ll also remember how it tastes.
What is your favorite French meal?
Having lived in Strasbourg, I should probably mention the famous Alsatian choucroute garnie. It is excellent but was not my favorite. That honour goes to bouillabaisse. I had the best bouillabaisse I’ve ever eaten at a restaurant in Marseille, when I lived there to complete my stage. The restaurant was on the corniche, overlooking the Mediterranean. The setting and the bouillabaisse were spectacular.
Have you brought back a French souvenir with you?
My love for crémant! I discovered the wonderful crémant d’Alsace for the first time when I moved to Strasbourg. At that time prosecco was popular in London, but you rarely saw other sparkling wines on the menu. Thankfully that has changed!
Any French habit you have kept?
Another food related one I’m afraid. I remember a long discussion on the composition of a perfect cheese board. The need to serve a mixture of cheeses to ensure a balance between hard and soft, cow and sheep, strong and mild. I now always serve cheese when I invite guests for dinner and the memory of that conversation makes me smile when I’m considering my selection with my local cheesemonger.
