Céline GibassierInterviewed in 2019

Céline is an Admission Officer at Notre-Dame International High School. She has also been an International Educational Advisor at Nacel since 2006. After her French and German high school diplomas, Céline studied international relations at university and also learned new languages. She has lived in France, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, and Spain, and speaks French, English, German, Hungarian, and a little Spanish.

What inspired you to work for Notre-Dame International High School?

I have lived in different countries, studied international relations, and learned four foreign languages. Working in the language travel industry was pretty natural for me.

Why do you do what you do?

My purpose is to give the most suitable advice to students and parents so that they make the best choice for their high school study abroad program.

Describe a typical day at work.

I answer parents and students' inquiries about Notre-Dame International High School and also arrange interviews, meetings, and visits. I work with students to help them prepare their application form. I also coordinate with the school staff regarding accommodation arrangements, visas, insurance questions, admissions, etc. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite moment is to see our new students arrive at school after we have been in touch for several months working on preparing their study abroad program together. The arrival day is the start of a new adventure for and with our students. 

How do you use your education and international background in your current role?

I use it every day and at any time. All my tasks are related to international relations, languages, cultural differences, administration, etc. I use the different languages I speak almost everyday and I'm in touch with families from around the world around the clock! 

What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?

Cultural differences remain a difficulty sometimes, and an enrichment most of the time! I try to be empathic to better understand the points of view of others and to better help them to overcome their difficulties. 

What are some current projects you are working on?

I currently work on remodeling our school brochure so that it can provide all information our students and parents need. I also work on a user-friendly application form to facilitate our students’ admission process. 

What makes Notre-Dame International High School special?

Notre-Dame International High School gives our students a unique opportunity to continue their studies in English with international classmates while they share their campus with French students attending a regular French curriculum. Thus, they really get exposure to the French language and culture. 

Are there any developments with your organization that you would like to share with us?

Notre-Dame International High School became an IB World School last spring and this has been a great achievement for the faculty who invested a lot of energy in preparing a strong and challenging curriculum to our international students. 

What is the mission of Notre-Dame International High School and how do you continue to work toward it?

The school mission is to prepare our students to become lifelong learners with a strong work ethic, and to be able to understand cultural differences and adopt flexible thinking on any issue. They also start creating their own international network while at school. 

How do you help support participants?

I help them to prepare for their experience abroad while sharing with them guidelines, helping them prepare for their visa interviews, informing them about what to pack, etc. The process lasts for three to six months before the students finally arrive in Paris. 

If you could attend Notre-Dame International High School, how would you approach the experience?

I would attend Notre-Dame International High School and try to make the best of my experience while meeting with as many different people as possible, study French intensively, and hopefully make friends with French students. I would use the chance to build strong relationships with my peers. 

Why do you think learning a new language is important?

Learning a new language opens your mind to a different way of thinking, gives you access to another culture that you learn from the inside out, and helps you to build your own points of view and opinions. It helps you become the best version of yourself. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

This is a travel that gives sense: sense to you, sense to the people you meet, sense to the people you tell about your travels abroad. You are active in shaping your travel abroad—you create your own travel. 

What hopes do you have for the future of international education?

I hope that international education will become more and more affordable so that more and more students can access it, even those who are currently left behind. I hope international education can reach students in every country—maybe through international online study programs?