Matthieu Hoxha: Inspiring Path of a Civil Engineering Graduate

Matthieu’s Journey

I come from a small mountain village in southern Albania called Përmet, and I am the youngest of three brothers. From a young age, I was inspired by the ‘American Dream’, a concept that seemed unattainable for someone from a poor country like Albania.

When I was 10, my family and I immigrated to Greece in search of greater economic stability. Although I quickly adapted to life in Greece, integrating into the Greek school system was difficult. I had to repeat a year in middle school due to difficulties with mathematics.

At high school, I opted for a technical path so that I could obtain a qualification that would enable me to enter the workforce quickly. This is how I earned a vocational baccalaureate in electrotechnics.

During the economic crisis of 2011, I sometimes worked three part-time jobs to support myself and help my family, as my parents could not manage alone.

It was then that I realised neither Albania nor Greece would enable me to fulfil my dream of becoming an elite soldier. I tried to join the US Army, but was unsuccessful. Then I discovered the French Foreign Legion, a unique elite unit that recruits men from all over the world, and my life changed.

In 2014, I joined the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) in Aubagne, where the Legion is headquartered. For five years, I served France with honour and loyalty in this extraordinary unit. I met brothers-in-arms from around the globe and learned that, despite cultural or religious differences, people can work together towards a common goal. The Legion showed me that France is a place where people can live united under one flag.

I later joined the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) in Calvi, training to become a paratrooper. Unfortunately, I sustained an injury during a landing, which forced me to pause my activity. This made me realise that a man’s true strength lies not in his arms, but in his mind, and that we can all succeed if we work with perseverance.

During my recovery, I was assigned to the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG) on the Albion plateau in Provence. It was there that I discovered France: its landscapes, its people and its culture, as well as the woman who now shares my life.

After a four-month mission in Mali as part of Operation Barkhane, I decided to leave the Legion at the end of my five-year contract in 2019. Military life no longer appealed to me and I had lost my sense of purpose. Yet civilian life was unknown territory – a new adventure was calling me.

Fortunately, the Legion supports its soldiers in their transition to civilian life, and through this support, I discovered the profession of site manager. I immediately compared this role to that of a staff sergeant, as it involves responsibility, coordination and commitment.

The beginning was challenging due to the high academic standards. However, thanks to the discipline and rigor I had acquired in the army, I was able to catch up, particularly in mathematics. With the support of my teachers, classmates, and colleagues, I successfully earned my diploma.

It was during this course that I decided to become an engineer.  

A friend and I made a bet: if we scored over 10 out of 20 in structural mechanics, we would apply to an engineering school. We won the bet, and enrolled at the CESI campus in Montpellier.

Being an engineer isn’t just about mastering calculations or software, it’s a mindset: that of a builder focused on the future, and conscious of the impact their decisions have on society and the environment.

I used to believe that lifelong friendships could only be forged in the army, but CESI proved me wrong. There, I met classmates from all over France and from diverse backgrounds, all united by a common goal: to succeed together.

Today, I work as a project engineer at HTC Construction. My role is to coordinate all stakeholders involved in a project and lead it to success, while upholding strong human values, like a conductor leading an orchestra.

Thanks to CESI, its instructors, its values, and its work-study model, I’ve become the man I am today. That’s why I proudly accepted the role of Deputy President of the CESI Montpellier Alumni Association. To me, CESI doesn’t just train graduates, it shapes the heroes of tomorrow.

Receiving the Max Mousseron Prize

CESI showed their trust in me by proposing that I present my final-year project for the Max Mousseron Prize, organised by IESF-OM and CODIGE. I was immensely proud to be awarded second place in the Engineering Sciences category and to share this unforgettable moment with my classmates, who came to support me.

When I first set foot in France on 6 June 2014, I could never have imagined that a boy from a small Albanian village who struggled at school would one day become an engineer and be recognised among the best.

This is the strength of France and CESI: offering everyone a chance, as long as they work hard and believe in their dreams.

Having never won a prize before, This success is the result of the support from all those who helped and believed in me: my CESI colleagues and mentors, and my loved ones.

I hope that other students like me will have the opportunity to be recognised for their hard work through the Max Mousseron Prize, and that one day, I’ll be the one congratulating them in turn. This prize exists to celebrate dedication and community. Apprenticeships are an outstanding way to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.