Meet Our Changemakers
Discover the students whose lives have been transformed thanks to your support.
Juan Lara Cruz
With his determination and a couple of strong bonds, Juan will become a highly qualified international electrical engineer in just 5 months.
Juan is currently a 4th-year student at INSA Lyon, in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
Born in the State of Mexico and the eldest of three children, Juan has dreamed of studying abroad since childhood. He completed high school at CECyT No. 9 "Juan de Dios Batiz Paredes" and took part in several physics and math olympiads to earn a scholarship and experience other cultures. He reached the national training stage for the International Olympiad.
When the opportunity to study at INSA Lyon came, he embraced it and began learning French. Due to financial challenges at home, Juan has been working since his second year-first in the INSA library and recently as a technical sales assistant at a German company.
Today, he's doing his first internship in electrical engineering. His main goal is to graduate successfully from INSA, gain international work experience, and eventually return to Mexico to contribute to the development of both Mexico and France.
When there's will and effort, success always follows!
Christian D.
At just 21 years old, Christian is in his third year of Electrical Engineering at INSA Lyon. Originally from Vallede Chalco, Mexico, he completed high school at CECyT No. 9 'Juan de Dios Bátiz Paredes'.
His dream of studying in France began back in middle school. Since then, he worked hard to prepare academically and meet every challenge. But after a key bilateral agreement between INSA and his home university was canceled, the biggest obstacle became financial.
In Mexico, he sold candy, organized raffles, and even took out loans just to keep going.
Today, due to his family’s economic situation, Christian juggles temporary jobs, summer work, and intense study weeks to afford his daily expenses. Despite the challenges, he doesn’t give up. It’s this very struggle that fuels his determination to succeed.
His goal: finish his degree at INSA, find a job, and support his family back home.
Together, we can achieve anything!
Valentina Velarde Guzman
My name is Valentina Velarde Guzman and I’m mexican. I studied at the Lycée Franco-Mexicain in Mexico City, where I discovered my passion for science and international cultures. Today, I’m living an incredible adventure studying at INSA Lyon, with the goal of becoming an engineer and helping improve the world by solving real, concrete problems. I love understanding how the systems around us work and dreaming up ways to improve them or create something entirely new. Another passion of mine is sports, whether it’s to push my limits or simply have fun, it’s an essential part of my balance. Thanks to the L'ASZOS association, I was able to achieve my dream of studying at INSA, and I’m proud to represent a small part of Mexico here in France. Thank you so much for all your support!
Karen Mendoza
I am Karen Mendoza, a proud Mexican studying telecommunications at INSA Lyon.
Since I was little, I studied at the Lycée Franco-Mexicain, which sparked in me the desire to live an international experience.
When the opportunity arose to continue my studies in France, I didn't hesitate.
Today, I am living that dream in Lyon. My goal is to continue developing my education so that I can dedicate myself to scientific research, and I would love to build a life here in France.
The scholarship I received has been a great help, especially in covering medical expenses, and it has given me the peace of mind I need to focus on my studies.
Beyond academics, I’m a very active person: I love running, cooking, and discovering new places through travel.
Thank you for believing in students like me — your support changes lives!