AFAM: Hello Adam, and thank you for your time! Please tell us a few words about yourself.

Adam: Hello! I'm a Junior Mechanical Engineering student in Texas A&M University, and I spent my last summer interning at Arts Et Métiers in Aix-en-Provence as part of the IRES program (International Research Experiences for Students). My interests are in manufacturing and mechanical design.

AFAM: how have you heard about the program IRES and what did you do to become a part of the program?

Adam: I heard about this program from the Haliburton Engineering Global Program (HEGP) office here in Texas A&M. It was a very intriguing opportunity that I thought would fit best in my interests, as the program focus was on materials and manufacturing. I was able to get accepted by filling out an application and conducting an interview.

AFAM: What did you do as a participant of the IRES program? What did you enjoy the most? What was the most challenging part?

Adam: As a participant of this program, I worked under the guidance of Arts et Métiers faculty on a project related to  surface hardening and nitriding. The thing that I enjoyed the most was getting to experience the work culture in France, and getting to know a lot of people in ENSAM. The most challenging part was having to learn some preliminary information and  literature review to familiarize myself with the topic at hand.

AFAM: was it your first time being in France, in Aix? How did you like the country and the city of Aix?

Adam: It was not my first time in France. I had been to a couple of big cities such as Paris and Nice, but it was my first time in Aix! I really enjoyed the the city, and even though I visited some other big cities during my stay in the summer, I feel like Aix-en-Provence is my personal favorite. If I wanted to go back and live in France, Aix would probably be my first choice!

AFAM: thank you, Adam!

Photo taken from artsetmetiers.fr website

Adam (third from right) with other American students who took part in IRES project at Arts et Metiers in Aix-en-Provence