Student Portrait - Camille Laine

Camille Laine, a student in the Expert Digital Strategy Master's programme at Digital Campus Bordeaux, had the opportunity to travel to Bristol as part of the Bordeaux Métropole - digital players initiative from 16 to 19 May 2015. A look back at this unique and enriching experience through her interview.

Why did you go to Bristol? In what context? We went at the initiative of the City Council, which brought together several students and professionals from Bordeaux to discover Bristol: its architecture, its way of life from a creative and social perspective. From the moment we arrived, we christened our adventure on social networks through the hashtag #BordeauxInBristol. What was your role? I didn't have one, other than to have sung Bristol's praises beyond its borders after returning home — and even that was a role I gave myself. As a half-student, half-entrepreneur, I was there mainly to learn, observe, and understand. There are many challenges there that are still poorly understood in France.

What are your impressions of this city? Their vision of the digital world?

They are extremely open about the relationship between the social and the digital. Most of the professional activities I discovered there stem heavily from this. Whether it's start-ups dedicated to urban challenges or incubators made accessible and optimised for working hours. I was very interested in the Knowle West Media Centre, a little further from Bristol's city centre — a truly pleasant, green space where seniors and young people in social reintegration come together around creative technologies.

How do you feel after such a stay?

After two months in London, I thought I had found my favourite city! In fact, I think I still have a strong affection for cities that, on a human scale, resemble Bordeaux. So I loved Bristol — smaller, with its centre at the heart of the hills, the Watershed where you can see a varied crowd strolling, and those little secret spots that hold history from Sherlock Holmes to Banksy.

Has it given you project ideas?

Yes, on the social front. I would very much appreciate it if France became more open to the vision of digital technology as a learning tool, for social reintegration, for support. Technologies, once brought together in an educational framework, become a deliberately creative force — and this creativity can clearly contribute powerfully to the advancement of all people in need. I have a project in mind that I will work on after my Master's. Time will tell how things evolve at home between now and then!

Any desire to go back?

Tomorrow!