For their very first internship, three first-year students in the Bachelor's degree in technology at the Châlons-en-Champagne campus chose to take the international route.
Over a four-week period, Silouan THORNTON, Adrien BAUER, and Maxime CHARPENTIER had the opportunity to develop their skills in diverse professional environments: Estonia for Silouan, Nigeria for Maxime, and the United Kingdom for Adrien. Maxime and Silouan share their enriching experience.
Immersion in the Oil Industry in Nigeria
Maxime completed his internship at Aveon Offshore, a company based in Port Harcourt specializing in the manufacturing and assembly of oil and gas platforms. This immersion allowed him to discover advanced industrial processes, ranging from metal plate cutting to machining and industrial welding.
“I was lucky to follow the entire manufacturing process and work alongside passionate technicians and engineers who explained their jobs to me with great enthusiasm,” says Maxime.
Beyond the technical skills he acquired, this internship was also a powerful human experience.
“The work environment was excellent, and I discovered a local culture deeply rooted in strong human connections. Any preconceived ideas I had about the country disappeared as soon as I arrived” he adds.
This experience also helped Maxime improve his English and expand his technical vocabulary. A successful first international experience and a valuable asset for his future career.
Digital Design and Machining in Estonia
Silouan joined BLRT Masinaehitus OÜ, an Estonian company specializing in the production of industrial metal structures. His internship focused on advanced machining and digital modeling technologies.
“I had the opportunity to create a digital twin of a welding station featuring a robotic arm and a turntable using the MotoSIM software,” explains Silouan.
At his supervisor’s request, he also worked on designing 3D models and creating technical drawings for a client using SolidEdge software.
“With the guidance of operators and engineers, I learned a lot about machine tools, milling machines, CNC lathes, and the preparation stages before production,” he notes.
This experience enabled Silouan to strengthen his computer-aided design (CAD) skills and deepen his knowledge of industrial manufacturing.
A First Step Toward the International Stage
For Maxime and Silouan, doing an internship abroad was a real opportunity. Far beyond just professional immersion, it was an eye-opening experience on both technical and cultural levels. They not only sharpened their skills but also broadened their horizons, gained autonomy, and discovered new cultures.
Whether in Nigeria or Estonia, this adventure allowed them to step out of their comfort zones, grow in independence, and enrich both their academic and personal journeys. An experience they highly recommend to all students.
