Testimonial from Sona Muradyan, Fourth-Year Marketing Student at UFAR

I am completing my internship within the Chimiget Group, a company specialized in the chemical industry that brings together 13 subsidiaries and whose mission is to provide businesses with comprehensive solutions tailored to their needs. I work more specifically with LMM (Laboratoire de Microbiologie de Marseille) and the ACI laboratories.

Honestly, before arriving, I had no idea what to expect. I only knew that Chimiget was a large company… and that was about it! Let’s just say I jumped into the unknown, hoping not to sink. I was the first UFAR student to join the company, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that everything would go well. Spoiler alert: mission accomplished!

At work, I mainly manage LinkedIn publications and contribute to business development efforts. I am learning more about the company’s products and services while proposing ideas for communication initiatives. I regularly exchange with my colleagues, and that is where I learn the most.

As for France, I must admit that I completely fell in love with the country. I live in Bouc-Bel-Air, a peaceful town where the houses look like they came straight out of Pinterest—yes, really! My internship takes place in Cabriès, another quiet town. Let’s just say that after work, you probably won’t find me there. Most of the time, I head to Marseille or Aix-en-Provence, cities where I could definitely imagine living one day.

Marseille is magical because of the sea and its multicultural atmosphere, even though I do not always feel completely safe there. The real daily challenge, however, is transportation. Between delayed buses and connections, it can sometimes take me an hour just to get from one place to another. An adventure in itself!

I have also had the opportunity to visit Cassis, Thionville, Metz, and of course Paris—and that was love at first sight. A truly magical city that makes you want to stay forever, or at least until the next baguette.

My daily routine is quite simple. I start the day with a quick breakfast, enjoy the fresh air, and then battle with the bus to get to Cabriès. It is either too early or too late, but rarely on time—which explains why I sometimes arrive late. After work, it is usually off to the beach or shopping centers, and occasionally on small weekend getaways.

When comparing France and Armenia, what strikes me most is the scale of things. In France, everything feels larger: the cities, the distances, and the opportunities. In Armenia, everything is closer and more accessible, which often makes daily life easier. What I particularly admire is how the French make the most of every moment, even during the week after work. There is a real culture of enjoying life without waiting for the weekend.

In terms of work culture and regulations, France is more structured and rigorous. Workdays sometimes start at 8:30 a.m.—quite a change for an Armenian marketing student like me! At the same time, breaks are longer, and people respect each person’s pace, even interns who occasionally arrive late because of the buses. My supervisor is as patient as a Tibetan monk, and for that I am truly grateful!

This internship is much more than just another line on my résumé. It is a genuine immersion into the French professional world, an opportunity to discover new working methods, and a chance to learn more about myself. I have realized the importance of adaptability, human connections, and learning to let go when things do not go as planned—yes, I am still talking about the buses.

This experience has helped me better define my professional ambitions, become more independent, and confirm my interest in communication and strategy. Most importantly, it has made me want to travel even more, discover other cultures, and perhaps one day return to work here in France—with a bus that actually arrives on time!

Sona Muradyan
Fourth-Year Marketing Student, UFAR