Testimony of Olivia Drayson, Master in Aerospace Engineering student (Space Systems).

First name : Olivia
Surname : Drayson
Age : 22 years
Country : United Kingdom
Program : Master of Science
Major : Space Systems
Current situation : Internship for Space Applications Services at ISAE-SUPAERO
Contact : Linkedin

Could you introduce yourself?

My name is Olivia and I am from the second year of the Master in Aerospace Engineering course at ISAE-SUPAERO. I’m 22 years old and I’m from London, UK. Before coming to ISAE-SUPAERO I attained my Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Oxford.

What are the features of your city/country?

I was expecting the culture in France to be not dissimilar to the British culture, being only separated by a narrow channel. However, I was shocked by how much the English and French cultures and attitudes differ from each other.
The greatest shock was the friendliness and intimacy Toulousains had when meeting new people. Going from a country where the handshake was the norm to kissing every new person I met was quite a shock!
In addition, being a large metropolitan city, London is a bit more active and fast-paced than Toulouse. I like the more relaxed outlook that the south of France has in comparison.

Why did you choose ISAE-SUPAERO and apply for our Master of Science?

I chose to study at ISAE-SUPAERO because I have always wanted to live and study in France and I wanted to shift my focus from Physics to Aerospace Engineering. On top of being at the top of the field, ISAE-SUPAERO allowed me to catch up on the engineering skills I had been lacking and pursue more applied projects related to space systems.

Which are your career plans?

After completing the Master’s course I will pursue a PhD in Biomedical Engineering focusing on space medicine. I plan to work in the space sector in the field of human exploration and would like to be part of the effort to put humans on Mars!

What would you say to a student who will come to ISAE-SUPAERO Toulouse?

I would advise new students that they should try to make the most of the fantastic opportunities at ISAE-SUPAERO. On top of being at the heart of the aerospace hub in Toulouse, there are countless projects and clubs within the university that will let you explore the fields that interest you. The part of the course that had the greatest impact on me was the research project in which I was able to develop an experiment for the International Space Station. It has inspired me to pursue a PhD after my studies and has shaped my career goals as a whole. All new students should be open to trying new things and following any project that strikes your interest as you never know where it may take you.