The two fell in love with high-tech around the same time they fell in love with each other. They both grew up in France, but it was Israel—and The Jewish Agency—that brought them together.
Israel Tech Challenge immerses highly talented students in the cutting-edge Israeli internet economy. This connection fosters their professional growth and advances a future link to Israeli high-tech innovations.
“When I came to Israel, I was in a state of ignorance, and nobody knew me or the engineering school I attended,” says Johan. But, according to him, The Jewish Agency and Israel Tech Challenge “was a great bridge between (his) school in France and the internet industry in Israel.The program is in contact with high-tech companies in Israel, like Intel and PayPal.”
Johan explains that Israel Tech Challenge has him up to speed on the differences between the Israeli and French employment markets. They are preparing him for job interviews and providing him with a big-picture perspective on the landscape of Israeli industry. The program itself is “very intensive,” he says.
“The work is very hard,” Estelle adds. “We both learn about trends in scientific data, and there are many courses. You learn in class, check out real cases in the field, and practice. And, if you are not an Israeli, but new immigrants like us, the program is affordable. You (can) get a scholarship through The Jewish Agency’s Masa Israel Journey.”
Full of optimism, Estelle reflects that “we live in a world of opportunities,” specifically citing the internship component of Israel Tech Challenge.
“We now know a lot of people in the area with backgrounds in high-tech industries. It’s good to know people in Israel because it builds relationships for us,” she continues. “We can make connections and build friendships.”
Israel Tech Challenge offers students multiple tracks to begin their work. Applicants must be between ages 18-30, and have earned a high school degree in order to participate.
