The power of engagement

My name is Tanguy, I am 26 years old and I currently live in Paris. Originally from Brittany, I grew up in a small village of 2.000 inhabitants, in the middle of the countryside, until I moved to a big city of more than 250.000 inhabitants at the age of 16. The city was a great discovery for me: access to many cultural activities, with continuous and safe public transport.

After my A-level, I entered higher education. After two years of hesitations, I reoriented myself in a new training, nursing. As soon as I entered this new course, I decided to get involved in the association of my institute. This was the beginning of almost 5 years of commitment within the network of student associations of the first student organisation in France, the Federation of General Student Associations (FAGE).Today and for the second year, I am in charge of international affairs in this organisation, on a voluntary basis and during my gap year, to bring the voice of French students in European and international debates concerning higher education and youth issues. This prior engagement led me to join the French national working group of the EU Youth Dialogue. Every day, I have the chance to speak with students, associations and governments from all backgrounds and over the world.

What did this teach me? Today, with hindsight, I realise that growing up in a rural area and that I came from a low social class had conditioned me to think that I would never be able to live this kind of experience, to do the studies I was in. And yet, I was incredibly lucky to have been able to get involved in all these associations and to be able to build myself personally and professionally. Europe is accessible to everyone, even if you don't know it. My commitment has catalysed all this and that is why I can only encourage everyone to get involved in a cause that is dear to them.

Through self-study and all the people I met, I was able to learn a lot about international issues and in particular about the European Union, which have become major interests. At the beginning of the academic year 2022, I will have the chance to enter a master's degree in international political science (another reorientation), thanks to all my associative experience! I will thus be able to do with my life what I have been passionate about for almost 5 years now.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026