West Coast – 2018
In April 2018, eleven students from École de technologie supérieure took part in a two-week academic and industrial exploration mission along the Canadian-American West Coast. As part of the seventh edition of the LÉTS GO Technological Missions, the team travelled to Vancouver, Seattle, San José, at the heart of Silicon Valley, and San Francisco to explore an ecosystem renowned worldwide for its innovation, engineering achievements, and entrepreneurial dynamism.
Throughout their journey, participants had the opportunity to meet engineers from various fields and discover the work environments, technologies, and innovative approaches of internationally renowned companies such as Starbucks, Apple, Tesla, Netflix, Facebook, and Yelp, among many others. The experience also aimed to foster exchanges with universities and industry professionals, while allowing future engineers to develop their technical skills, intercultural awareness, leadership, and understanding of the realities of pursuing a career in an international environment.
Consult the calendar below to discover the complete list of companies and organizations visited during this mission.
Destination partners
Engineering at the Heart of an International Experience
Our mission along the Canadian-American West Coast gave us the opportunity to discover Vancouver, Seattle, San José, and San Francisco through visits to companies, universities, and innovative technology initiatives. From the technology sector to entrepreneurship, this experience allowed us to explore one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems while broadening our global perspective, strengthening our teamwork, and shaping our vision of our future careers.
Meet the team behind
this year’s edition!
Alex Grandmont
Mission leader
construction engineering
Currently a student at École de technologie supérieure, Alex began his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering in September 2016.
He quickly demonstrates a great interest in academic involvement and he enters the student committee of his program. In April 2017, he participated in the Mission InterÉTS project and he left for two weeks to China, accompanied by nine other students to visit many innovative companies in the country. As a result of this mission, he is selected to lead the next edition of this project which is today called the Technological Missions. It was his desire to learn and his interest in the international community that pushed him to join this project, which he has been involved in for over a year now.
He sees his participation in the 2018 edition as a chance to develop his project management skills and put into practice the knowledge gained from the previous mission to bring the next edition to a higher level.
Bilal El-Malki
Communications committee
Information Technology Engineering
Perseverance, endurance and will are words that describe Bilal El Malki. However, these words describe only 25% of this young man’s personality. Indeed, Bilal has a lot of passion and dedication to international mobility. Being a member of the technological mission is a great opportunity for him. This will allow him to take a big step forward in his professional career. Moreover, the technological mission, taking place on the Canadian-American west coast, will allow him to discover a new perception of engineering abroad.
Currently an information technology (IT) engineering student, this journey will allow him to explore a variety of opportunities to meet new challenges. Indeed, Bilal likes to be challenged to excel and to go further than desired. In addition, Bilal is very interested in project management and in the computer network.
When Bilal is not busy as a one-armed paperhanger, he spends time composing music with a specialized software, making new acquaintances and training to be a good soccer player. He also works on personal projects related to web programming. He keeps up to date with news around the world. His hobbies allow him to deepen his general knowledge, maintain his form and maintain good interpersonal relationships with other people. This represents 100% of Bilal El Malki’s personality.
Frédéric Lestage
Communications committee
software Engineering
Frédéric has long been interested in the field of technology and in the computer world. He has also developed over the years a great passion about the world and he wishes to eventually focus his career internationally.
A graduate in multimedia at Édouard-Montpetit College, he worked for a year before returning to school. He is now in his first year of studies in software engineering at the École de technologie supérieure.
Passionate about learning culture and languages, the technological mission represents for him an opportunity to learn more about the fields of engineering that interest him while expanding his vision of the world.
Cédrick Pipitone
Communications committee
Information Technology Engineering
Cédrick is a student in Information Technology Engineering at École de technologie supérieure. Passionate about travel and discovering new cultures, he has had the opportunity to visit several countries in Europe, as well as different regions of Canada and the United States, developing a strong global perspective along the way.
Particularly interested in cultural differences and the opportunities offered by the technology sector internationally, Cédrick travelled to California to explore potential international internship opportunities, with a particular interest in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The West Coast mission represents an opportunity for him to continue this exploration, discover the region’s technology ecosystem, and gain a better understanding of its professional environment.
Open-minded, dynamic, and people-oriented, Cédrick aims to contribute his experience and enthusiasm to the team throughout the mission. As a representative of ÉTS, he also hopes to share his experience with the student community and encourage his peers to develop their own international outlook.
Camille Rondeau
Communications committee
construction Engineering
Initially interested in the job of architect, Camille discovered a new passion during her architectural technology program which is project management. So, she decided to continue her studies in construction engineering.
Grown up on a farm in Lanaudière, Camille is far from being discouraged by long hours of work. Moreover, she is constantly undertaking new projects. Passionate about traveling and discovering other cultures since she was young, she enjoys going on a journey which is one of her favorite activities. So she quickly seized the opportunity to join the technological mission!
Beginning her second year of baccalaureate, looking for new challenges and eager to discover the world, the technological mission is the best thing that happens for her! This greatly enriching experience will enable her to become a better engineer for the industry of tomorrow. This greatly enriching experience will enable her to become a better engineer for the industry of tomorrow.
Julien Pierrat
Events committee
automated manufacturing Engineering
A French student, Julien is in his second year in a bachelor’s degree in automated production after training. After training in metrology, he decided to go to Quebec to integrate into American culture.
After an adaptation to the East Coast for a year, he seeks to discover all of America, including the semiconductor sector (Intel, Qualcomm, Nvidia …) where he worked for two years at STMicroelectronics in photolithography processes.
Julien participates in the student life as chairman of the cinema committee and treasurer of the board games committee. In the rest of his free time, he is an enthusiast of manga and soccer (big fan of the Gones of Lyon in France).
David Doucet
Events committee
construction Engineering
Back from an exchange in the French Alps, still thinking of the mountains, David needed a project that would captivate his attention in order to get a boost of motivation to conclude his university program.
A native of Baie-Comeau, his environment shows him that distinctive importance must be given to interpersonal relationships. Curious by nature and footloose, discovering the concepts that surround him is his favorite pastime.
With his knowledge from his two years in the ‘’canoë de béton’’ club of ÉTS, he is confident that his experience gained during his travels will enrich this mission.
This technological Mission is an opportunity that David could not miss. Especially since the whole process to achieve his objectives, new learning and new encounters will play a huge role in his international development. He surely will have pure pleasure doing his tasks.
Ariane Chapuzet
logistics committee
construction Engineering
Ariane Chapuzet began her college studies in civil engineering. She then continued her studies at the École de technologie Supérieure (ÉTS). She is in her second year in construction engineering. Moreover, she stands out for her strong team spirit and creativity. In addition, she is involved in the construction engineering student committee.
Following a trip to France in spring 2016, Ariane became passionate about intercultural exchanges. She wishes to pursue her career internationally. Indeed, she wants to become an international construction project manager. She is also interested in environmental engineering. She hopes that the technological mission to the Canada-US West Coast will allow her to visit green buildings and learn more about new technologies in this area.
Mathieu Frenette
logistics committee
construction Engineering
Curious by nature and very motivated by discoveries, Mathieu sees a great potential of project more than enriching in this Technological Mission ÉTS 2018. Passionate of travels and adventures, this project fits completely with his professional objectives. With the aim of meeting new partners, learning more about techniques and know-how from other regions, he considers that this mission is an ideal entry point for an international career.
In addition, having participated in various sports activities during his youth, he particularly appreciates teamwork especially in a project of this kind where each member participates voluntarily in order to achieve a common goal that will allow all to grow up. In addition, his open-mindedness towards other cultures and ways of thinking is another of his primary motivations.
On the other hand, fascinated by various technological progress in the field of engineering, particularly on the environmental side, he sees a real potential for sharing knowledge in a mission of this kind. All in a better world perspective.
To conclude, his curiosity, his desire for the transfer of knowledge and his openness to the world both technologically and culturally make him a motivated and invested member.
Jean-Christophe Gagnon
finance committee
construction Engineering
Jean-Christophe holds a degree in Geomatics Technology and he is currently starting his second year in Construction Engineering.
In the constant search for new challenges, Jean-Christophe decided to take his studies to a university level. The world of construction now offers him new challenges that he is passionate about.
Jean-Christophe is a student who likes to work in teams. He joined the mission because it is a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with his colleagues and see what a group of ambitious students can achieve in a few months. He knows how to keep calm and he likes to talk openly with his teammates.
In 2016, Jean-Christophe made his first international trip to Thailand, where he was fascinated by cultural exchanges and also the discovery of a new way of doing things. He hopes that the 2018 Canadian-American mission will offer him a new way of thinking and acquiring new skills with international companies established in the field as pioneers.
Finally, Jean-Christophe is interested in international projects and he counts on the technological mission to give him the necessary tools to repeat the occasion at the level of other student groups in the future.
Hugo Parent
finance committee
automated manufacturing Engineering
Demonstrating a keen interest in automation, programming and robotics, Hugo undertook college and university studies that allowed him to learn more about these exciting fields. Currently in the second year of the Bachelor’s degree in Automated Production Engineering, he wants to continue expanding his horizons and discovering new things.
Convinced that the international community is an important asset for the 21st century engineer, Hugo decided to participate in the 2018 edition of the ÉTS technological mission. This experience will allow him to develop his skills in communication and human relations at the professional level. In addition, this mission will enable him to develop knowledge in new advanced technologies. He would also like to find out how companies on the Canada-US West Coast conduct their business in order to notice the peculiarities of these companies.
Involved in scientific clubs and student organizations, Hugo does not hesitate to surpass himself and to give his best to bring a project to term. Outside school hours, he shows great interest in nature, especially for hiking and camping.
Antoine Delage-Laurin
finance committee
mechanical Engineering
Antoine is a 3rd year mechanical engineering student. Back from his exchange at IIT Bombay, he is eager for new projects abroad. Passionate about renewable energies and the energy transition in Quebec, he sees the Mission as an incredible opportunity to witness different mindsets and engineering techniques, to soak up the texture of the West Coast and to bring back this knowledge to evolve professionally and personally.
Antoine lives up for new experiences that feed his great curiosity. Constantly seeking knowledge, he approaches people to learn more about them and their experiences. Dynamic and motivated, he loves teamwork in every aspect.
In his free time, he enjoys reading, listening to music and doing various physical activities such as surfing or hiking.
Audrey Deschênes
Advisory Committee
international outbound mobility and partnerships advisor
Audrey Deschênes is in charge of international mobility programs at ÉTS. She has 7 years of professional experience in intercultural intervention and mediation with various community groups. Her background and expertise in managing intercultural projects have led her to focus on issues associated with student mobility as well as organizations and initiatives promoting this mobility.
Audrey holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Studies from Saint Paul University in Ottawa and a BA in International Studies and Modern Languages. She also trained in Third Party Neutral for group facilitation.
Luc Duong
Advisory Committee
professor, software and it engineering department
Professor Duong has been teaching at the École de technologie supérieure since May 2009. His research focuses on medical image analysis and the use of information technology in health.
In fact, he works closely with the CHU Sainte-Justine cardiology department in projects related to interventions for congenital heart disease. Professor Duong has participated in numerous international missions, notably in France, Mexico, Peru and Ecuador.
His research laboratory, the Interventional Imaging Laboratory (LIVE), welcomes students from all around the world. Professor Duong has a degree in Engineering (1999) and a Ph.D. degree (2007) from École Polytechnique de Montréal. He continued his postdoctoral research at Siemens Corporate Research, Princeton NJ in collaboration with one of the centers of excellence in cardiology in Rotterdam (Netherlands).
