Testimonials

What inspired you to apply for the Tocqueville Fellowship, and what did you hope to accomplish?

I have always been both fascinated and frightened by the American influence on French society. In particular, I have observed my school transform in just a few years into a highly progressive American-style campus, adopting the modernist mantras from across the Atlantic. Anticipating this shift was my primary motivation. More than that, I wanted to learn from American conservatives, who have been actively fighting against this scourge for much longer than we have, with far greater resources and effectiveness. In short, the goal was to take advantage of the time difference to be better equipped to prevent ultra-progressivism from taking root in our top schools.

Can you describe one of the most memorable experiences you had during your stay in Washington, D.C.?

I will always remember Trump’s speech at the final evening of the RNC, where we stood just a few meters away from him. We had witnessed history unfold just days earlier, as we were on American soil during the assassination attempt, and we had the chance to attend his first two public appearances!

The RNC was a unique experience. We were immersed in a general sense of excitement, joy, and optimism that I had never encountered at a political rally in France, no matter how grand it was. We alternated between conferences hosted by major think tanks featuring prominent political figures, popular rallies where the crowd shouted “Amen” and where Trump-shaped cookies were served, and smaller gatherings where we were invited alongside former senators and ministers. The opportunities were endless, and Kate made sure we didn’t miss a single one!

What were the main lessons from your Fellowship that had an impact on your personal and professional life?

It was to be expected, but discovering the United States, and especially the crème de la crème of Washington D.C.’s conservative political scene, forces you to dream big. I’m resuming my political engagement with greater ambitions and concrete goals to achieve them. I’ve realized the unconscious limitations I was imposing on myself in France. While I once viewed my fight at Sciences Po as ensuring pluralism and representing and uniting the right within the institution, I am now working for this voice— the voice of common sense— to become the majority again. And I’m convinced we’ll get there.

Americans have many lessons to teach us because they both want and know how to win, whereas in France, we often settle for losing gracefully. First, American conservatives manage to rally and unite behind various projects, which is something that should inspire us. Acknowledging their past mistakes, they are now focused on mastering procedures, which struck me as crucial and has already proven useful in dealing with my school’s administration. Additionally, they nurture a work ethic that I found particularly admirable. I’m renewing my commitments, convinced that we must not be afraid to invest a lot, but more importantly, to invest ourselves fully.

Ultimately, I’ve embraced the idea that “it’s a social game.” By offering an attractive alternative vision at Sciences Po, we can reclaim the school. I’ve applied the advice given by a member of Congress, especially the importance of staying calm and smiling to persuade, even when I was being booed while presenting our association to first-year students. The result was more than clear: we’ve never recruited so many new students, and by mid-September, we’ve already gathered more than fifty active members. This is another key American lesson: “in the end, we need numbers.” Good ideas can’t triumph if there’s no one to carry them forward.

How did the Fellowship facilitate networking opportunities, and could you share how these connections helped you in your career?

The Tocqueville Fellowship primarily taught me how to network, starting with the preparatory day where we worked on our elevator pitches and practiced handshakes. After two weeks of putting this into practice, it became second nature.

It wasn’t so much the connections made with Americans as the discussions among fellows that elevated my commitment to the next level. Through exchanges, applying networking techniques, and sharing this strong intention to win, I’ve managed to organize the visits of several conservative speakers to Sciences Po at an unprecedented pace (starting next week with François-Xavier Bellamy!).

What specific skills did you develop during the Fellowship that are useful in your current role?

Above all, I noticed significant improvement in my spoken English, which is certainly welcome.

However, the most noticeable progress has been in my interpersonal skills. Since my return, I enjoy meeting and networking with more people, and I find myself far less easily intimidated. I’ve learned to be direct and push my agenda forward, which will soon allow me to host individuals who were initially hesitant to even set foot in Sciences Po.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to someone considering applying for the Tocqueville Fellowship?

I can only recommend jumping on the plane without hesitation! It was one of the most impactful experiences—one of “those little chapters that seem to be nothing in themselves but nevertheless extend their influence over everything that follows,” to quote Thackeray.

However, I believe it’s essential to approach Americans with a specific goal or an unresolved question that your counterparts can help answer. We meet people with incredibly diverse backgrounds, so it’s important to think about how each person’s story can serve your own commitments to make the interactions as meaningful as possible.

And of course, be prepared for an intense two weeks, taking full advantage of every opportunity, day and night!

Looking back, how has the Tocqueville Fellowship influenced your career path?

I’ve only been back for a month and a half, but activists and leaders from other UNI chapters have already noticed that never before has a right-wing student organization had this much momentum. The program for the year looks especially promising!

If you had to summarize your Tocqueville Fellowship experience in a few words, what would they be?

I returned with the 50 stars of the American flag in my eyes !