Second Topic: International

    Most students are keen on going abroad. We usually strive to study in a foreign university for one year or to go on a training course abroad. But don't you think that working in an international company like Alcan would not be a good idea if you enjoy travelling? The aim of this topic is thus to make us discover to what extent an Alcan job entails international aspects.
Alcan, an international company...
   First, as you maybe know, Alcan employs 70,000 people and has operating facilities in 55 countries and regions. Where would you like to live? Europe? North America? South America? Asia? Africa? Do not worry... I could say that you just have to choose! I hope you can guess that if you look for a firm which can offer you an international career, Alcan will suit you more than another company!
Do I have to learn English to do research?
   As for my coach's job international aspects, you will not be surprised if I tell you that scientific research is international in essence. So if your goal is to become a researcher, I should advise you to work hard your English. In fact, taking part in the Weallcan program is certainly a good way to manage it! As a matter of fact, there is no way of informing oneself about the last new things if one cannot speak English, since all the scientifc articles are written in English. In the same way, if Alcan researchers want to be understood by most of the other researchers, they have to write and to talk in English. Moreover, when my coach Sylvain and his colleagues want to enter in collaboration with a university, they do not choose a french laboratory, but the best one even if its researchers do not speak french!

Is the automotive heat exchanger's market international?
   Let me remind you that Sylvain's field of research is automotive heat exchangers. Will you believe me if I tell you that the market of heat exchangers is international? It can be divided up into three geographical areas: Europe, North America and Asia. The eight main automotive suppliers which produce heat exchangers are -when they are listed according to their geographical area:
_Europe: Valeo (France) and Behr (Germany)
_North America: Delphi (a former General Motors' subsidiary,the USA), Visteon (a former Ford's subsidiary,the USA), Modine (the USA) and Long Manufacturing (Canada)
_Asia: Denso (a former Toyota's subsidiary, Japan), Calsonic (a former Nissan's subsidiary, Japan)
As you may guess it, I just pointed out above where were located these companies' head offices. However, these companies' factories are located through out the world.
Does an Alcan researcher travel a lot?
   I know that you all expect the answer to this question! In fact, YES, an Alcan researcher travel very often. For instance, during my Alcan Day, Sylvain asked his secretary for preparing (booking train or plane tickets) a business trip to the Czech Republic the week after my Alcan Day. In May have always been scheduled some business trips to Poland and Sweden. In June Sylvain will maybe also go to South Korea...Is it enough international for you? I guess that you should be interested in such an international career!
Why does an Alcan researcher have to travel a lot?
   If you could talk to Sylvain, he would explain you that what may be very interesting in his job remains that there are a lot of distinction between the different countries'schedules of conditions. For example, Japan, which is a  humid country (surrounded by the ocean), has some strong requirements for corrosion whereas the United States of America, where cars are bigger, demand for alloys with a better mechanical resistance. It implies that it is necessary that an Alcan researcher should well understand theses distinctions and the cultural differences -which have to be taken into account during the meetings with the clients or the suppliers.
An international competition...
   The companies which compete with Alcan are also foreign. Indeed there are Alcoa (the USA), Norsk Hydro (Norway), Corus (Great-Britain/the Netherlands), Sumitomo (Japan) or Furukawa (Japan). And don't forget that Alcan is likely to be competeted by chinese firms...
The country of the rising sun...
   During my Alcan Day, I realized that Sylvaindid several business trips to Japan and that it is one of his favourite countries. When you enter in his office, you can at once see some souvenirs from Japan. And can you guess where I will go on a training course next year?Yes, you have got it!...To Japan!
Finally, I hope you will have understood that Alcan is an international company which can offer you an international career!..