Sarah | France

Before joining Generation, Sarah was searching for a direction in both her personal and professional life. After graduating from high-school in France, she studied tourism, lived in Barcelona, spent a year in New Zealand, and then returned home in 2023. But coming back wasn’t easy.

“I was so lost. Coming home after living abroad was strange. I had changed, but everything here felt the same. I didn’t have any direction”

Looking for part-time work while continuing her business studies, Sarah discovered Generation France through a local support program. She joined the Sales program, not because it was her dream career, but because she needed a job, quickly. What she didn’t expect was how much experience and connections the program would end up giving her.

“At first, I thought I wouldn’t fit in. I was the youngest in the class. Many of my peers were rebuilding their lives from scratch. But it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.”

Finding Her Voice

As a young Muslim woman wearing the hijab, Sarah faced barriers most people never see.

“I wasn’t even being called for interviews. Companies would reject me just for how I looked.”

Sarah wanted to have the chance to meet the potential employers, and Generation promised to have interviews scheduled at the end of the program. During the training, Sarah gained soft skills and confidence, while also immersing herself in the Generation community.

“Soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence were a huge part of the program. I saw people come alive: refugees, people who had never had a job before started believing in themselves. That changed me, too.”

Her instructor, recognizing Sarah’s drive, gifted her a book about dreams and told her she had exceptional potential.

“I’ll never forget that. She said she’d never seen someone with my energy and ambition in her class before. That was the first time I really believed I could do something big.”

Where is Sarah now?

After completing her training, Sarah quickly secured a job with Uniqlo, an international brand that valued her multilingual skills and didn’t judge her based on her appearance. She also became an ambassador for Generation France, sharing her story and helping others find their voice. 

She was selected from hundreds of applicants for an Economic Forum in the South of France, where she’ll speak on mental health among youth—alongside economists, CEOs, and even former heads of state.

“I’ll be on stage with professors and global leaders. It’s surreal. Generation opened that door for me.”

She is continuing her studies at Audencia, wanting to pursue a Masters degree next. She imagines herself working for international organisations in the future, and she wants to continue giving back to Generation.

“I don’t have a specific job title in mind, but I know I want to work in an international environment, helping people, making lives better. That’s what drives me.”