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Updated on: 04/12/2024
Kevin Duong Dinh Hy recently completed an International Geology Dual Bachelor Degree at the University of Bordeaux and Northern Arizona University (USA). After spending the first year of the programme in Bordeaux and obtaining his French Bachelor, Kevin spent the second year in Northern Arizona, in pursuit of an American Bachelor of Science.
Two main things struck my mind when choosing the International Geology Dual Degree: first and foremost, the possibility of obtaining an American Bachelor of Science within one year instead of the usual four, all while being exonerated from American tuition fees was particularly appealing (especially considering how expensive studying in the US can be!).
The second advantage was that I would get to experience the US like never before, and would be able to travel around the country in addition to studying geology in an American university.
I became interested in English back in high school, and have enjoyed American culture ever since. This is another reason why the US was the perfect choice for me as I had a strong background in English. I did however have to learn technical vocabulary specific to my field as well as in-depth general vocabulary to become completely fluent.
One outstanding difference between France and the US is life on campus. Living on campus at Northern Arizona University is like living in a city full of students. Sporting and festive events are often organised, and fraternities and sororities are a major component of student life. This strikes me as a tremendous advantage in comparison to French universities. In the US, you live on campus, you get to fully experience it and enjoy it. You can stay and hang out with friends, play volleyball or skate, help each other with homework, eat fast food or even watch an American football match between rival universities. It’s a whole different vibe.
One of the best moments of my stay was the three-week vacation I took for Christmas to travel. I started by going from Northern Arizona to Los Angeles and visited Hollywood Studios. Then, I went from L.A. to San Francisco for Christmas! And I finished it off with a tour of New York City for New Year’s Eve where I experienced my first Ball Drop in Times Square. It was the best trip I’ve ever taken, and it will be hard to top it. In three words: the ultimate thrill.
I learned that it’s important to not stick to your comfort zone, meaning that you should experience life outside of your native town or country. By going on an adventure, alone or with friends, you can achieve much more than you think. You learn how to deal with certain situations, look around, observe, be independent, push your limits ever further and meet strangers after hiking in Canada (yes that happened!).
Always be confident in your capabilities. Be aware. Understand your instinct. Make reasonable decisions while also enjoying life. This may only happen once in your lifetime, please make the most out of it, it goes by very fast!
If you like hiking, nature, cool rocks, Native American culture, extreme temperatures, the Far West, route 66 and more, then you should check out Arizona. It is also very close to major cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix. I travelled to a total of ten US states and British Columbia in Canada. I also had the opportunity to study geology on field trips in four states (NV, CO, UT, AZ)! Coupling your field of study with travelling is the way to live.
At the University of Bordeaux, students enroll in the International Dual Geology Degree at the beginning of the third year of their Bachelor. They spend the first year of the dual degree in Bordeaux, with students from Northern Arizona University who are completing the third year of their Bachelor of Science (BSc).
Throughout this year, students from Bordeaux build the study programme for their year in the USA, in line with the chosen field for their Master degree.
Upon completion of the first year of the dual degree, students enrolled in the programme obtain their French Bachelor. They then spend the second year at Northern Arizona University, for the final year of their American Bachelor of Science. During this second year, Bordeaux students are enrolled in a Master programme at the University of Bordeaux and are exonerated from tuition fees at Northern Arizona University. After their American graduation ceremony, University of Bordeaux students may then pursue the second year of the Master programme in which they were registered back in France.
Graduates benefit from visibility in France, Europe and across the Atlantic. An American BSc allows them to enter the American labor market, and also enables them to directly apply for doctoral programmes in the United States if their BSc is obtained with honours.
The two year programs are also a valuable opportunity to create strong links between French and American student communities, thus promoting not only academic exchanges, but also solid linguistic, cultural and personal exchanges.
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