My name, my origins, my background and my experiences are what leveraged my success. The angle of the immigrant, through which I examined the reality in France, distinguished me.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Sometimes my biography is interpreted as the upbringing of a French aristocrat. It was very, very different. We were a family of mercantile, immigrant Jews.
Oh, I was brought up in the north of France, and I had a very enjoyable childhood with my family working as entrepreneur.
My primary and secondary education was in French, which had a lasting influence on my life.
In addition to the research, I enjoyed learning French and assimilating the culture of another country.
I was born in France. I grew up in Africa.
The journey from employee to entrepreneur was a complex and taxing one for an immigrant like me.
I'd had a French education for three years, my father being in the army. From 9 to 12, I went to French school. I've been sort of part of the culture, part of the geography, since I was quite young - the imprint was there.
I'm ready to become a French person amongst French people, and more than ever I have the love for my country deeply ingrained in my heart.
To be successful in my native France, where people speak the same language and understand me, is nothing.
I committed myself totally, fully, but I didn't succeed in convincing a majority of French... I didn't succeed in making the values we share win.