Raphaël shares his mobility experience in Kenya, an energy transition model
In this page :
- International mobility in support of the energy transition
- Kenya: a rich apprenticeship experience
- A fresh look at the energy transition challenges
At CESI, international mobility is not just a mandatory stage in the engineering curriculum, it’s a real opportunity to open up to the world and enrich your personal life. During their fourth year, each student goes abroad for at least 12 weeks, either on an academic exchange program, traineeship, or double diploma path. This immersion enables students to discover new working methods, broaden their skills and develop a more global vision of industrial and societal issues.
Raphaël, a student in his fourth year of the industrial engineering program in Lyon, chose Kenya for his mobility. Driven by his enthusiasm for the energy transition, he looks back on this important experience in a country where 90% of electricity already comes from renewable energies.
International mobility in support of the energy transition
- Can you describe your academic path at CESI?
I’m a year-4 student at CESI. I’ve taken an integrated undergraduate course before continuing my academic path at the Lyon campus in the industrial engineering program. My goal is to move into the energy sector and contribute to the energy transition.
- What motivated you to choose Kenya for your international mobility?
I chose Kenya to explore an unknown society and get out of my comfort zone. The academic exchange with Strathmore University, in Nairobi, focused on a Master’s Degree in “sustainable energy transition”, offered me an ideal opportunity to enrich my education.
- What has your experience in Kenya brought you professionally, academically, and personally?
From a professional point of view, I realized that international education is a necessity. Working on energy projects in a different context left a lasting impression on me. In Europe, people are debating the nuclear power issue. In Kenya, 90% of electricity comes from renewable energies; the main challenge continues to be the access to energy for everyone. Working with such a specific goal gave meaning to my work and reinforced my motivation.
On the academic side, this immersion pushed me out of my comfort zone. The classes, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., were aimed at working engineers. I was the only foreigner and the youngest student. The first month was difficult: the technical nature of the classes taught in English and the Kenyan accent made comprehension complicated. The format of these classes varied from teacher to teacher and required a great deal of adaptation. My Master’s Degree in Science in Sustainable Energy Transitions covered all aspects of renewable energy projects. With only 15 hours of lessons per week, the personal workload was intense. Fortunately, group work made it easier for me to fit in. My classmates taught me Swahili words and recommended places to visit. The campus offered good infrastructure and a dynamic student community life, punctuated by cultural events. On the other hand, communication with the administration was complicated. Fortunately, Sandra, my reference for the academic exchange between CESI and Strathmore, helped me a lot.
Finally, on a personal level, this experience taught me to start from scratch and adapt to a different way of life. The economic contrast was striking: a French guaranteed minimum wage directly ranks among the country’s richest 5%. This deeply changed my perception of my standard of living.
Kenya: a rich apprenticeship experience
- How did you perceive Kenyan culture?
Alongside my training program, I wanted to discover a different way of life. Nairobi impressed me with its vibrant colors, visible everywhere: in the architecture, in the lush vegetation, in the traditional clothing. Music and dance create contagious energy. The matatus, these minibuses decorated in the colors of pop culture or European football teams, are a real immersion in everyday Kenyan life. Every trip has its unexpected surprises, but the atmosphere is always energetic and friendly. This visual culture has provided me with endless inspiration, particularly for my interest in textiles and fashion.
Beyond Nairobi, I was lucky enough to travel to the south of the country. The north was inaccessible due to the risk of kidnappings and terrorism. Border conflicts, such as in war-torn South Sudan, made the area dangerous. I explored incredible landscapes, from the summits of Mount Kenya and Mount Satima to the beaches of Mombasa. My hikes brought me into contact with exceptional flora and fauna. As a “Kenyan Resident”, I was able to enjoy the safaris without paying the entrance fees charged by parks. It was an unforgettable experience.
I also discovered the culinary diversity of the country. I often ate in small street restaurants, where you can find traditional dishes like ugali, chapatis, spinach and lentil porridge. I also attended a concours d’elegance, an event where I could admire traditional and modern outfits. I even went to a techno party on the heliport of the KICC tower, with a breathtaking view over Nairobi!
- Did you experience any difficulties?
My arrival in Nairobi was marked by a first experience in student accommodation on the outskirts of the city, in a neighborhood with a colonial history. The atmosphere was distant and formal, which complicated my integration. I soon found a shared accommodation with students from Sweden, Poland, and Kenya. This change was a revelation. We created a social circle mixing expatriates and locals, sharing our experiences, and discovering the city and its cultural heritage together. This experience taught me the importance of taking the initiative and not remaining passive in the face of an uncomfortable situation. It also showed me that openness to others and diversity are powerful levers for integration and personal enrichment.
Safety was also a concern. As a man, I had more freedom to move around on my own, but I quickly realized that this wasn’t the case for women. They face many restrictions and are highly sexualized. What’s more, it was best to avoid Nairobi city center at night.
A fresh look at the energy transition challenges
- How has your stay in Kenya influenced your vision of the professional world?
My stay in Kenya strengthened my desire to work on projects with a real and locally relevant impact. It confirmed my interest in the social and cultural dimension of sustainable development and showed me the importance of adapting solutions to the specific context of each country.
This experience has enabled me to broaden my vision of resources and infrastructure in developing countries. My work on energy transition and the integration of renewable energies took on a new dimension when I discovered the challenges of Kenya, where access to electricity and energy self-sufficiency are crucial issues.
