Meeting Kenza Rhachi is like diving into a pool of infectious good humor. She openly shares her passions for cats, baking, and her perspective on EPFL, which she discovered after moving from Morocco a few years ago to pursue both a Bachelor and a Master in Life Sciences. “I immediately formed strong friendships with international students during my preparatory year.”
Certain aspects of life in Switzerland—and at EPFL—took her by surprise. “I admit, I was a bit taken aback during my first year when I realized it was former students who answered our questions and helped with exercise sessions. Maybe I naïvely expected the professors themselves to do it.”
Did this bother her? “Not at all. In fact, it quickly made a lot of sense. Most of them had faced the same challenges we were dealing with, so their approach was often empathetic and patient.” She herself had to retake two courses in her first year. “I realized that I needed to completely rethink how I was studying.”
But Kenza didn’t dwell on the setback. She applied for a teaching assistant position through the Student Support Program. “I was excited to share what I’d learned from my failures and to help other students find their own ways of solving problems based on my experience.”
The job isn’t always easy. “It’s really challenging because every student is unique, and a good assistant has to find different ways to explain the same problem.” But the rewards are real. “When you run into a former student later on, and they tell you they passed their exams and that you played a part in it… it really warms your heart!”
Kenza admits that she, too, has grown from the experience. “You learn to listen, to adapt. And to express yourself! It’s amazing how much it’s helped me feel more comfortable with public speaking. I’ve gained a lot of confidence.”
Suffice it to say, she’s thoroughly fulfilled by the experience. “Plus, the financial side isn’t negligible. Thanks to this extra income, I’ve been able to travel. It opens up new horizons!” Her curiosity is boundless and contagious—and there’s no doubt many students have been touched by it in her classes.
Kenza is one of the many beneficiaries of the Student Support Program (SSP), a philanthropic initiative that supports the student community. The SSP embodies EPFL’s core values, providing a unique platform to develop future leaders and visionaries. It is structured around four key pillars – Ignite, Attract, Equip and Maintain talent.