VAE testimonials

In what year did you complete your VAE, what diploma did you take?

2017 - Master's degree in "Sciences du Langage", specializing in translation, writing and multilingual mediation. Mention "Russian and Hebrew"

What was the trigger to set this process in motion?

The fact that I had practiced the profession of translator and interpreter throughout my career as a journalist in multilingual media.

Why at Inalco? And did you apply to any other university?

I didn't apply to any other university because Inalco is the only higher education establishment in France specializing in oriental languages and capable of awarding the diploma in translation with "Russian and Hebrew" honors, corresponding to my case.

What were the steps involved?

Getting in touch with Madame Gehant, the continuing education coordinator at Inalco, followed by an appointment for information; putting together and submitting the application; interview with the jury.

What do you think of the help provided by Continuing Education?

Very useful and comprehensive.

Did you learn anything by carrying out this VAE?

Yes, because I haven't experienced a course like this before, and I find it very fair and practical when it comes to those with long-standing professional experience.

What advice would you give to applicants for VAE?

Create a very clear and detailed application file, relevant to systematic and in-depth work in the field concerned.

In what year did you complete your VAE, what diploma did you pass?

2016 -2018 - The Master Métiers de l'International, speciality: international commerce.

What was the trigger to set this process in motion?

Arrived in France with over 10 years of commercial, logistics and administrative experience, I started looking for a job in these fields, but it wasn't easy without having a French diploma that could sum up my experiences.

Why at Inalco? And did you apply to another university?

I came across the Master Langues Cultures et Sociétés du Monde / mention : métiers de l'international, spécialité : commerce international while searching the RNCP (Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles) website. This master's degree matched my needs, and what's more, it triggered my desire to embark on the VAE process.
In fact, I found that there were many links between the skills required by this qualification and those I already possessed.

What were the steps involved?

• Initial application file (Livret 1)
• Application file for Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience describing professional activities, personal experience, training achievements and adding reports, diplomas and certifications.... (Livret 2)
• Accompaniment face-to-face or by telephone
• Presentation in front of the jury
• Administrative and pedagogical registration to complete the remaining subjects at Master

What do you think of the help provided by Continuing Education?

I received all the advice, information and support I needed from Inalco's VAE referent during the process of writing the application and following the courses at Inalco.

Did you learn anything by doing this VAE?

Effectively, I wasn't exempt from the pedagogical elements in which I didn't have much experience. VAE enabled me to enrich my knowledge and skills in international business.

What advice would you give to applicants for VAE?

First of all, I would advise applicants for VAE to choose the right diploma. Secondly, you need to spend time describing your professional experience in relation to the subjects of the diploma you are applying for, the activities you have carried out and the skills you need. Last but not least, you need to have confidence in yourself during the auditions and the presentation to the jury.

In what year did you complete your VAE, what diploma did you take?

2016 - Licence LLCER de tibétain.

What was the trigger to set this process in motion?

I had accumulated over the years a great deal of professional experience translating and interpreting in Tibetan, a language I had previously learned at Inalco as an auditor. I had also always kept in touch with the academic world by reading publications and attending numerous university-type conferences.
To put it simply, I was passionate about Tibetology and Buddhology, but I necessarily remained at a distance because I had never passed the baccalaureate and didn't think I would become part of this world. 

After a while, the desire to give purpose and substance to this passion became too strong and I began to think about ways of entering the academic world completely. In a way, I also wanted to see what I was made of and put my knowledge and skills to the test, as I had no idea whether or not I was capable of following a university curriculum. It was then that I learned about VAE at Inalco.

Why at Inalco? And did you apply to any other university?

I didn't apply to any other university. I chose Inalco because I had studied there previously as an independent candidate and had done so for several years. I'd also made friends with the teaching staff and some of the students in the Tibet section, and I really liked the atmosphere there. I'd made my mark there, and Inalco had always given me the impression of a benevolent university with a good general atmosphere.

What were the stages?

In my memory, first came the putting together of the dossier, then the writing and finally the audition in front of several members of the university. At first, putting together the dossier seemed a rather thankless and tedious task, but in the end it was very instructive, as it enabled me to take stock of my true knowledge and experience. Beyond an administrative task, it was also a way of taking stock of my life up to that point.

What do you think of the help provided by Continuing Education?

Excellent. I've always felt a general benevolence in this establishment, which I've been attending for nearly fifteen years. This feeling has not diminished with the VAE, quite the contrary.

Have you learned anything by doing this VAE?

I've never taken the baccalauréat and have never been formally confronted with a university course, since I've always been an auditor. This VAE, through the rigor it implies in its approach, gave me a foretaste of what the master's degree I aspired to could look like.
Besides, it's a good way of testing one's determination, as you need a minimum of it to successfully complete this validation.

It sometimes seems that the academic world is rather hermetic, heavy-handed from an administrative point of view and prefers straight-line routes rather than zigzags. But VAE has taught me that this world is also very open, because for me, entering university is more about "recognition" than "validation".
It may be a little romantic to put it like that, but for me, VAE represents one of the most human and poetic facets of university. The one that knows how to see shades of grey in documents printed in black and white, and is aware that not everyone ticks the same boxes.

What advice would you give to applicants for VAE?

Force it! There's nothing to lose anyway, and the experience, successful or not, is very rewarding.