Moving from Yerevan (Armenia) to Nantes (France) is not something you do on a whim. You put a 5,000-kilometre distance between yourself and your family, and you arrive not speaking much French beyond a few basic words. Yet you manage to settle in, be recognised for your work, and even start your career at the university you graduated from.
This is the story of Lusine Zoryan, who turned her interest in Communications into a career in international higher education. Today, she works as a product marketing manager at Audencia Business School, helping students find their place in a new country.
In this interview, Lusine explains why she chose an English-taught Bachelor’s at the American University of Armenia, how she used Studyportals to explore Master’s options across Europe, what made Audencia and Nantes stand out, and how clear admissions support shaped her decision. She also talks openly about visas, culture shock, language learning, and the extra challenges non-European students face.
Why choosing an English-taught degree opened new doors
Studyportals: Why did you choose an English university in Armenia and not a French, Russian, or Armenian-taught one?
Lusine: I didn’t speak much French at the time, so the French university wasn’t an option for me, and I wanted to keep my opportunities open. If you study in French, you’re more or less directed towards France for your master’s. By choosing an English-taught degree instead, I knew I could apply to programmes in many different countries. Because I knew I wanted a Master’s abroad.
It made my life easier in practical terms, and the things I learned were very aligned with what I was looking for. The degree was internationally recognised, which helped a lot later. And because my higher education was in English, I didn’t have to take any English tests for my Master’s applications.
“By choosing an English-taught degree, I knew I could apply to programmes in many different countries.”
Studyportals: So, studying in Europe was something you aimed at from the beginning, right?
Lusine: Yes. I knew I wanted to study abroad, specifically in Europe. So, in the very last year of my Bachelor’s, I decided to look for business schools in Europe. I wanted to continue my path in Communications, but also combine it with Business in some way. France was my dream country. I was obsessed with its rich culture, language, and beautiful cities. I applied to business schools in France, as well as some in Italy and Portugal.
I was hoping to find the best-fitting programme for me, so I used Studyportals to search for programmes that met my criteria and filters.
I didn't speak too much French, so I was looking for a degree in English and, while searching, I found Audencia’s MSc in International Management, which fit perfectly with my needs.
How Lusine picked her Master’s and why Audencia stood out
Studyportals: You said you've looked for universities in Italy, in France and other places. What exactly were you looking for?
Lusine: First of all, I was looking for a degree in International Management or Marketing. That was my main focus. It would be English-taught, that was also important, but also the duration mattered. My undergraduate degree was four years, while in most European countries, it takes three years. So, I wanted to find a Master’s that would only last one year. Those were my main criteria.
Studyportals: Can you explain what made you feel that way?
Lusine: The admission process is a part of the student journey. I believe it is also a mirror of what comes after. And I say this from experience, because I was looking for programmes all over the continent, from Portugal, to Italy, to Lithuania. During discussions about documents and interviews, I would observe, ask questions, learn things. I asked myself why I was easily accepted in one place but struggled more in another. How polite or professional was the staff? How transparent were they when evaluating my application? Were the criteria clear or not? What rankings did they have internationally?
When I was in contact with Audencia, I felt they were not providing me with a service but were really there for me. Their admission counsellors are really there for you.
"I was looking for programmes all over the continent, from Portugal, to Italy, to Lithuania.”
Learning French through work and adapting to life in France
Studyportals: You pursued an English degree, so when and why did you start learning French?
Lusine: I started learning French because of the job, to be honest. As a student I was part of an international community, had French people in my class, but we all spoke English. So, I would practice French for fun. It wasn't as high-level as I wanted, but I could get along with everyone by speaking a little French and some English. I also speak Russian, which helped me even more to bond with the diverse community at Audencia.
When I started my internship during my Master's degree, it was in English as I work in communications and marketing for international students. However, all my colleagues were French, so I had to communicate with them in French. At first, it was extremely challenging. I would come home with headaches at the end of the day, thinking, “I can’t do this anymore.” It was genuinely very hard.
In the end, speaking with my colleagues every day turned out to be the best way to learn the language. I didn’t even take formal classes; I simply practiced constantly. After four years, I reached a point where I felt comfortable and confident, able to manage quite well.
Looking back, it was a difficult experience, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Thanks to that immersion, I learned a new language to such a level that I sometimes even mix up English and French words.
“I started learning French because of the job, to be honest. As a student I was part of an international community, had French people in my class, but we all spoke English.”
Studyportals: When did you decide to build your career in France, and how did your studies help you make that step?
Lusine: Audencia’s Career Center played a big part. They organised career fairs, meetings with recruiters, CV workshops, mock interviews - all the support you expect from a good school. But the job I have today didn’t come through the Career Center. It started when I volunteered to create content for Audencia’s marketing team. I reached out, showed interest, and they remembered me. Later, when they were hiring, they offered me the role. I was also looking at opportunities in Belgium and other international companies in France, but choosing Audencia felt right. It wasn’t a formal application process. It was more about taking initiative and being visible.
I was the first student to join the communications team as a volunteer content creator. That opened the door to an internship, then a communications role, and now a product marketing position for international programmes. The experience helped me grow from a student to someone who supports future students. I help promote our international programmes and guide candidates who dream of studying in France.
“I was the first student to join the communications team as a volunteer content creator. That opened the door to an internship, then a communications role, and now a product marketing position for international programmes.”
Turning student experiences into a career in international education
Studyportals: Does being a former international student help you in your job today?
Lusine: Definitely. It helps me spot things teams might overlook. Sales or admissions staff often see processes from their professional perspective. I still think like a student: What was missing when I applied? What support would I have needed? That mindset helps shape our communication and strategy. The journey is different when you come from outside Europe, especially from places like Armenia or Colombia, for example. Visas, distance from home, cultural gaps, and adapting to a new environment add layers others don’t always see. That’s why I stay close to students through focus groups, surveys, and talks with student ambassadors. It keeps their needs at the centre of our work.
Studyportals: What challenges did you face as a non-European student compared to European students?
Lusine: Language was the first challenge. It’s hard to integrate when most students stick to their native language. Coming from a small country like Armenia also meant I didn’t have a big community to rely on. The visa process was long and stressful. Financing studies was harder. Home was far away. Many classmates couldn’t fully understand that. There were also stereotypes about non-European regions, and breaking those ideas wasn’t easy. Even in an international environment, some people struggle to accept things that are different from their own experience.
Studyportals: If you were to meet yourself back then, what advice would you give yourself? Something that would save you time, money, energy maybe?
Lusine: In an international environment, the French are not making too much effort for the English-speaking people. So, I would give myself this advice: start learning French sooner, before school starts. Also, I would say not to be scared, you’ll get used to it. It is your new life, enjoy it! Try to follow what you really want to do, and it will eventually take you somewhere. Of course, it depends on the person, but I would say: build as much of a network as you can and keep moving forward in your own way.
