Our Alumni - International French School (Singapore)

MEET IFS ALUMNI

Explore the IFS alumni stories from all around the world and learn more about their personal experiences during and after IFS.

Our alumni are an integral part of the IFS community and we are delighted to share their stories.

Sharing experiences helps to motivate and inspire our current students to feel more confident in making decisions about their future.

Our former students can choose how and when they can help – they act as career and education role models, provide work experience, become mentors in person or online, or help with donations and fundraising.

Join the IFS alumni network and stay connected with the school.

Elsa FAUCONNET

2002 IFS graduate

Vice-President | Export finance officer at Société Générale

– France –

Sofiane ZEROUALI

2018 IFS graduate

Brand Manager | Consumer Products Division at L’Oréal

– Netherlands –

Pierre PUPPATTI

2006 IFS graduate

Product Manager at Mercedez-Benz

– Germany –

Mariana DE CASTRO FREITAS

2007 IFS graduate

Financial Director at Procter & Gamble

– Switzerland –

Sophie DELSERIEYS

2011 IFS graduate

eCommerce Key Account Manager at Lindt & Sprüngli

– France –

Lorrain SWYNGEDAUW

2017 IFS graduate

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering at Université de Cranfield

– United Kingdom –

Chloé VILLARET

2016 IFS gradute

Consultant in health, pharmacy and life sciences at PWC

– France –

Léa CAVALLI

2017 IFS graduate

PhD student in Population Health Sciences at Université de Harvard

– United Kingdom –

Elsa FAUCONNET

2002 IFS graduate

Vice-President | Export finance officer at Société Générale

– France –

What are your best memories of your time at LFS/IFS ?

One of my favourite memories is the cultural diversity among the students, teachers and staff.

The quality of the new facilities when we arrived at Ang Mo Kio after Bukit Tinggi also impressed me a lot.

Finally, I will not forget the excellent atmosphere andthe small class sizes ideal for quality learning.

How did LFS/IFS prepare you for your higher education and career choices ?

LFS has excellent teachers, very present and attentive, who helped me in my choices anduniversity decisions.

What studies did you pursue after graduating from LFS/IFS ?

I followed a preparatory class S for business school. Then I joined ESSEC after these two years of preparatory class.

What was your most outstanding achievement at LFS/IFS ?

My encounter with the women’s soccer team against other high schools in Singapore is a very good memory.

What advice would you give to current IFS students ?

Take advantage of the study environment and infrastructure at IFS.

Take advantage of being here tomeet other high schools (international or local).

Afterwards, you realize how lucky you were to have studied in such a good school and under such good conditions.

Sofiane ZEROUALI

2018 IFS graduate

Brand Manager | Consumer Products Division at L’Oréal

– Netherlands –

What are your best memories of your time at LFS/IFS ?

The unforgettable moments I remember are the graduation ceremony and the last day of classes, not forgetting, of course, the results of the baccalaureate.

Was there anyone at LFS/IFS who particularly marked, inspired or motivated you ?

My history-geography teacher motivated me enormously.

He accompanied me and supported me in my orientation project.

How did LFS/IFS prepare you for higher education and career choices ?

The school’s rigour, organisation, and quality learning opportunities allow rapid immersion into higher education.

In addition, many optional courses are provided to accompany professional projects (sesame prep, iep prep).

This is very useful.

What studies did you pursue after graduating from LFS/IFS ?

I entered business school: EDHEC Business School.

What was your most outstanding achievement at LFS/IFS ?

The impressive IFS victory at the Asian Football Cup in Bangkok!

What advice would you give to current IFS students ?

You are lucky to be at IFS. Make the most of every day.

Get involved in your work because nowis the time to make a difference!

Pierre PUPPATTI

2006 IFS graduate

Product Manager at Mercedez-Benz

– Germany –

What are your best memories of your time at LFS/IFS ?

Two things have marked me during my years at LFS. First of all, I have wonderful memories of the school trip to Malaysia.

And above all, the school’s infrastructure (both academic and sports).

Did anyone at LFS/IFS particularly mark, inspire or motivate you ?

I have terrific memories of several teachers for their charisma, their humour, their humanism and their skills: my German, math, philosophy and physics chemistry teachers, and of course, my English teacher as well.

How did LFS/IFS prepare you for university and your career choices ?

I remember having a lot of support from the professors in preparation for the baccalaureate, especially because of the small class sizes.

What studies did you pursue after graduating from LFS/IFS ?

I entered an MPSI preparatory class, then the HEI engineering school in Lille (graduated in 2011), witha master’s degree in electric vehicle engineering.

What advice would you give to current IFS students ?

Take advantage of the opportunity (the privilege even!) you have to be at IFS.

Don’t make hasty career choices. Leave room for the unexpected… Set a course and believe in your abilities!

When in doubt, do as the sailors do, look behind you at the path you have traced and compare it to your starting point.Work always pays off… sooner or later!

Mariana DE CASTRO FREITAS

2007 IFS graduate

Financial Director at Procter & Gamble

– Switzerland –

What are your best memories of your time at LFS/IFS ?

I remember the superb sports facilities and the physics and chemistry laboratories, in which I spent excellent moments of learning and surpassing myself.

Has anyone at LFS/IFS notably marked, inspired or motivated you ?

Very much so! My physics teacher and my math teacher in the 11th and 12th grades passed on their passion for science to me.

My PE teacher and touch rugby coach helped me develop and introduced me to this incredible sport.

How did LFS/IFS prepare you for university and your career choices ?

IFS prepared me by helping me to choose the S stream (Bac S because of my great interest in math, physics and chemistry).

Then provided me with the knowledge and work methods necessary to enter the math sup/spé preparatory class and the École Centrale Paris afterwards.

Where do you work today ? What is your role ? In which country ?

I work in finance in a multinational consumer goods company (Procter and Gamble) at their European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

I am in charge of financial planning for the global beauty division.

What advice would you give to current IFS students ?

Take advantage of all the extracurricular activities and facilities that the school offers.

It is a privilege and just as rich in learning as the “standard” school curriculum.

Sophie DELSERIEYS

2011 IFS graduate

eCommerce Key Account Manager at Lindt & Sprüngli

– France –

What are your best memories of your time at LFS/IFS ?

My best memories will always be the wonderful school trips I took during my years at IFS. Also the quality of the courses, the incredible facilities, the welcoming and open-minded students;

not forgetting the school and extra-curricular projects such as SIMUN and touch rugby.

Was there anyone at LFS/IFS who has particularly marked, inspired or motivated you ?

Without hesitation, my coach and rugby teacher.

She believed in us and pushed us to give the best of

ourselves, first in sport but also in everything we did.

She has been a real source of motivation and inspiration for me.

How did LFS/IFS prepare you for university and your career choices ?

IFS has helped me through the quality of teaching, through the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education), through the school’s career days organised and through the interaction with the guidance counsellors, teachers, and other students.

What was your most outstanding achievement at LFS/IFS ?

I will never forget winning the Touch Rugby tournament!

What advice would you give to current IFS students ?

Be ambitious and do what you want to do because this school will provide you with all the keys and skills to succeed!

Lorrain SWYNGEDAUW

2017 IFS graduate

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering at Université de Cranfield

– United Kingdom –

What are your best memories of your time at LFS/IFS ?

I have terrific memories of all the events organised by the school, especially the inter-school sports competitions in Asia. And above all, my Terminale year, it was, for me, the best year of study at LFS.

Did someone at LFS/IFS make a particular impression on you, inspire or motivate you ?

My physics chemistry teacher inspired and motivated me tremendously.

Three consecutive years of physics with this passionate teacher made me love this subject.

How did LFS/IFS prepare you for university and your career choices ?

Thanks to the high standards and quality of teaching at LFS, I was able to obtain the necessary foundations to enter a preparatory class, which then allowed me to go to an engineering school that corresponds perfectly to me.

What studies did you pursue after graduating from LFS/IFS ?

I entered a Physics and Technology preparatory class in Versailles (Lycée Jules Ferry).

After two years of intensive work, I joined Arts et Métiers (Metz campus).

For my 3rd year of engineering school, I decided to go to Cranfield in England to do a Master of Science in Advanced Mechanical Engineering for one year.

I still have six months to go, and then I will enter the job market.

What advice would you give to current IFS students ?

Don’t neglect your studies even if it’s “only” high school, and especially don’t neglect English.

It is a real chance to study in an English-speaking country, and it should be seen as an opportunity to improve and perfect your English.

I would not be doing as well today if I had not had this experience.

Chloé VILLARET

2016 IFS gradute

Consultant in health, pharmacy and life sciences at PWC

– France –

Is there anyone at LFS/IFS who has made a particular impression on you, inspired you, or motivated you ?

My SES (economic and social sciences) teacher stood out for her pedagogy and kindness.

My history and geography teacher, who devoted much time to preparing for Sciences Po to get the best out of us, also helped me a lot. As for my Spanish teacher, she passed on to me her love of Hispanic culture,which I still have today. Some of these teachers are still teaching at IFS, and I can only thank them for enriching my life.

What studies did you pursue after graduating from LFS/IFS ?

I entered Sciences Po after IFS and then the University of British Columbia. I am now studying public health policy.

What was your most outstanding achievement at LFS/IFS ?

I am thrilled and proud to have obtained an 18 in my mathematics baccalaureate after having had great difficulties in this subject for years.

It was also very important for me to have been a member of the CVL, a class delegate, and pushed for actions that seemed essential to me (organising a “Walk a mile in her shoes” to raise awareness about domestic violence…).

What advice would you give to current IFS students ?

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn English and become truly bilingual or even trilingual, thanks to the quality language courses offered at IFS.

Léa CAVALLI

2017 IFS graduate

PhD student in Population Health Sciences at Université de Harvard

– United Kingdom –

How has LFS/IFS prepared you for graduate school and your career choices ?

The interdisciplinary curriculum allows us to have an essential general culture and diverse interests.

The English courses and the courses in English (EPS, Plastic Arts, Physics, etc.) allow us to master this language perfectly.

What has been your most outstanding achievement at LFS/IFS ?

Aside from my academic achievements, participating in several extracurricular activities has really made my experience unique.

I loved joining the choir, going on a great trip to Indonesia with them, and preparing a concert.

I also have fond memories of the touch rugby team I was a part of for six years.

These experiences allowed me to build great friendships, learn to work in a group/team, and follow me during my studies.

Indeed, I then went on to play for the women’s rugby team at my university in England.

Where do you work today? What is your role? In which country ?

After obtaining an integrated Master’s degree in Genetics (4 years) at UCL in England, I am currently in the first year of a PhD in Population Health Sciences at Harvard University in Boston (US).

I specialize in infectious disease epidemiology.

In the long term, I would like to work in a health organization, either globally or nationally, to help understand and control their spread, especially in developing countries.

What advice would you give to current IFS students ?

– Choose subjects that really interest you and stick with them!

For example, I took the specialization SVT at the baccalaureate, even though it was the least recognized specialization academically, and I don’t regret it at all.

It was my favourite subject in Terminale, and it allowed me to get an excellent grade in SVT at the bac.

– Don’t lose motivation when faced with academic failure!

Even though it’s unpleasant to fail, failures should encourage you to persevere and, in hindsight, are often the best thing that can happen (whether it’s bad grades or college admissions). – Take advantage of IFS’s offerings and facilities for extracurricular activities!

TESTIMONIAL VIDEOS

What students and graduates from around the world have to say about IFS

OUr former students are spread all over the world and follow a wide variety of career paths.

Check out in these videos our graduates sharing their inspiring stories and amazing things they plan to do in the future.