Spotlight Stories: Alexandre Cartier, FASP Class of '15

Alexandre took some time to talk with us about his current life and to share memories from his FASP years and the foundational impact of his bilingual education. 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself before we go down memory lane?

My name is Alexandre Cartier. I am originally from France, but I had the opportunity to come to the United States at the start of 6th grade and spent 7 years there until the end of high school. I spent 3 years at FASP, a school that helped me transition not only from France to the US but also to an international way of thinking because of the people I met there. I then spent 4 years at George School, where I completed high school with an IB diploma. I then came back to France to study engineering.

I am currently finishing my engineering studies with a supply chain internship at Procter & Gamble, an international American company, in Paris.

What did you study in college?

I studied engineering in Lyon, France, with a specialization in supply chain engineering, and I also studied project management in Montreal, Canada. My 4-year program in France was taught entirely in English, as I wanted to learn technical knowledge in an international language and continue meeting people from all over the world. My project management double diploma was taught in French.

What is it like to be a professional with dual specialization, engineering and supply chain? What was the thinking behind it?

I am just starting to work in a professional environment, but so far I love working in supply chain at Procter & Gamble. Supply chain management involves overseeing the flow of goods, information, and money within a company, placing me at the crossroads of many entities, including sales, finance, manufacturing, as well as clients and suppliers. It’s also a role where attention to detail is crucial and the impacts can be significant. 

Additionally having an international background is important as I work both in French and English in an international company that has many different habits both form the US and from France.

Shifting now to some memories about FASP, what do you remember the most about school?

I remember two things from school. First, the discussions I had with all my friends constantly switched from French to English and vice versa. I think this formatted my brain in an amazing way. I also remember constantly being challenged and challenging my friends in class to learn more. Due to the quality of the teachers and the very small class sizes, we were able to go much further than the standard curriculum and learn so many things so quickly.

What do you think about bilingual education and what made you different from kids educated in monolingual schools?

I think it goes further than a bilingual education, which is beneficial for obvious reasons. For me, it is more about the international perspective and the types of children present at an international school. First of all, kids and parents come from many different cultures, so you learn about various ways of doing things. Secondly, all children at FASP are from families who want them to be bilingual and are expatriates from other countries. This makes the other students smart, supported by their parents, and raises the level of thinking in the classroom compared to a standard school.

Many alumni value the friendships and connections they made at school. Are you still in touch with anyone at FASP or have been part of the FASP community?

Yes, I am still in touch with several friends that I made at FASP, not only from my class but also with people who are older and younger than me. It is incredible to get lunch or dinner with them and talk about the good old times. They have all gone to incredible schools and are starting great careers, and it's nice to see so many people achieving success.

What would you say to someone considering FASP for their children?

I would tell them to think about the types of people they want their children to meet and work with. Curriculums are important, of course, but I believe that what shapes their minds the most is the people they are surrounded by. During my years at FASP, I was surrounded by incredible people.