Rodolphe Robin, the director of the ALPI Master's Program (Master in Applied Foreign Languages, specializing in Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula) at the University of Rennes 2, has been training students for several years in international business management. His background, shaped by a wealth of experiences across the globe, especially in Latin America, provides expertise that he passionately shares with our Master's students. During his academic journey, he sought to strengthen ties between French companies and the Latin American market, convinced that this region represented—and still represents—strategic opportunities for both regions.
The ALPI Master’s Program trains future experts in international trade with a focus on Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. Through immersive courses, international university partnerships, collaborations with companies and international organizations, and a strong emphasis on intercultural understanding, ALPI stands out within the landscape of French Master's programs in International Business. It’s a springboard for students with a bachelor’s degree who are eager to specialize in transatlantic economic and political exchanges. Thanks to the dedication of Mr. Robin and the entire faculty team, the ALPI Master’s Program not only contributes to students’ career paths but also fosters sustainable relationships between Europe and Latin America, a central goal of this program.
This article will take the form of an interview to discover Rodolphe Robin’s inspiring career, his perspectives, and more insights into the ALPI Master’s Program.
Background and inspiration
1) Mr. Robin, what motivated you to pursue a career in higher education, particularly in a program like the ALPI Master’s?
“It was a combination of several factors: a desire to contribute to the economic development of French companies internationally, a strong interest in three languages of the American continent (Spanish, Portuguese, and English), and the influence of three professors—specialists in Latin America—who guided me in understanding the stakes of this region.”
2) Which personal or professional experiences have most shaped your approach to teaching and managing this Master’s program?
“In terms of teaching approach, I was deeply inspired by the methods at the University of Puerto Rico, where I had the opportunity to study. It’s an approach inspired by U.S. universities but adapted to a Latin American reality. The way they teach foreign languages, encourage student initiative, and engage with the socio-economic world is very relevant and has greatly influenced me.
I also studied at Gama Filho University in Rio de Janeiro and worked in various companies in Bouaké (Ivory Coast), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Quito (Ecuador), and San Diego (CA, USA). I conducted field research in Brasília, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre in Brazil, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Brussels. These experiences strongly shape my view of EU/Latin American relations, my teaching methods, and how I manage the program.”
3) Was there a pivotal moment in your career that influenced your career choices?
“Yes, the 18th Summit of the Rio Group. It took place in November 2004 at the Sofitel in Rio de Janeiro, where I was working. During this mission, I met several Latin American heads of state who took the time to discuss with me the issues facing Latin America. At the same time, I was learning about the challenges French companies faced in Latin America through my role at the Sofitel in Rio de Janeiro. Following this experience, I decided to pursue doctoral research rather than continue in the private sector as my Master's studies had prepared me to do.”
Meeting with the President of Brazil, Mr. Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva, his wife
Mrs. Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva, and the Sofitel's head chef, Mr. Roland Villard
- 2004 -
4) Could you briefly outline your journey before taking the helm of the Master’s program? Could you tell us about your academic background, thesis, or even your doctorate?
DUT in Business Techniques
Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Foreign Languages in International Business, English - Spanish
Master’s Degree in Management, English - Spanish - Portuguese
Doctorate in Applied Foreign Languages, specializing in Latin American Studies
"My academic journey has always been internationally oriented, focused on how businesses operate and gaining professional experiences abroad. Naturally, with my thesis advisor, we focused on a topic that incorporated these three aspects: ‘The Genesis of the sui generis Interregional Association Agreement Project between Mercosur and the European Union: 1999 – 2011.’ This project is still under negotiation today, and I continue to observe its progress."
Vision and Ambitions for the Master's Program
1) What is your long-term vision for the ALPI Master’s program? Are there any projects or areas of development you'd like to explore?
"First of all, it should be noted that the Master’s program functions as a large team. Within the LEA Department at the University of Rennes 2, we have five Master's tracks, including ALPI, and an entire teaching team works together to keep our program active by suggesting projects and avenues for exploration over the short and medium term. ALPI, like most Master’s programs, is continually evolving.
Among the projects that would be interesting to consider for potential implementation in the long term, I would mention:
Work-study opportunities
Dual-degree options with other Master’s programs in International Business abroad
Expanding our connections with the southern United States
Extending our relationships with companies and with 'Business France'
Developing research and CIFRE-funded doctoral contracts
Supporting entrepreneurial ventures”
2) Were there any specific challenges facing the program before and at the time of your arrival?
"Before 2010, it was possible to study International Business and Latin America at the University of Rennes 2, within LEA, at the undergraduate level, but not at the Master's level. The first challenge was to offer a continuation of studies for some Bachelor’s students. This project was spearheaded by Ms. Janie Larroquette, a Senior Lecturer in Latin American Studies, who has since retired, and who led the ALPI Master’s program from 2010 to 2012.
Janie Larroquette
Another challenge that Ms. Larroquette addressed was the international component of the Master's program and the mandatory semester 10 at a partner university. This remains a challenge today. We must persuade our partners to establish specific partnerships with our program to secure placements for our students, constantly renew the number of partnerships to accommodate the number of students, and have contingency plans in place to address potential challenges: pandemics, climate issues, social instability, etc.
There have been and still are, numerous challenges. But these are what make the role engaging.”
3) If you could make one significant change to the program today, what would it be?
"It would involve the introduction of a work-study option, alongside internships, as an alternative for M2 students. Work-study is a program supported by the state to facilitate students' professional integration in collaboration with training organizations. Many companies are embracing it and replacing their interns with work-study students. If this program continues to be supported by the state and companies in the coming years, we’ll need to take a position on it during the next curriculum update."
Teaching and Program Management
1) What core values do you aim to impart to ALPI Master’s students?
"Graduates of the ALPI Master’s program are future contributors to Europe–Latin America and Caribbean relations. It’s important to ensure they become future leaders who will work towards sustainable relations between the two regions, economically and diplomatically. Additionally, these relations should be fostered on social and environmental levels. Relations between Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union have always been positive. Our mission is to ensure that this remains the case. This, indeed, means nurturing students who have a strong commitment to values such as respect, appreciation for diversity, and understanding.
We pay close attention to these core values when ALPI M1 applicants present their career goals. These values are then developed through foreign language courses and specific subjects."
2) Do you see your role with students as a guide, intermediary, or mentor?
"Beyond the classes I teach, my role with students is that of an intermediary. An intermediary between students and companies looking for specific skills to grow their activities across the Atlantic; an intermediary between students and the various entities within the University of Rennes 2 that are essential to the program's operation: the teaching team, Research Unit, International Relations Office, Career Services, LEA Department, Languages Faculty, DEVU, and so forth."
3) In your view, what is the most crucial skill students need before entering the workforce?
"There are certainly several. Competition is tough, and it’s even more challenging for recent graduates. The Master’s program teaches multiple skills, all of which align with the RNCP34101 criteria of the National Directory of Professional Certifications.
But among these, some skills enable graduates to stand out in recruitment processes: multilingualism, regional understanding, initiative, geographic mobility, etc. These are taught in language classes, as well as in courses on geopolitics, strategy, and project management, and are developed through internships and the semester abroad. Being able to communicate and understand international contexts is a highly sought-after skill by companies."
4) What advice would you give to prospective students who want to join the ALPI Master’s program?
"I recommend exploring the ALPI region while still in their Bachelor’s degree, whether through an internship, exchange, gap year, or another project. On one hand, it increases their chances of being selected, and on the other, it helps them determine if they want to specialize in this region for two years.”
Perspectives on Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula
1) Is there a particular aspect of Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula that you’re passionate about, whether cultural, economic, or political?
"It’s hard to separate these three dimensions, as they’re intertwined and form a whole. To answer your question, I would simply say that I use academic tools to find answers to political and economic questions, while I adopt a personal, informal approach to explore cultural questions. The methods may differ, but my interest in Latin America is multidisciplinary. In this way, it reflects my university education (LEA), which was also multidisciplinary."
2) Do you have a particular project, author, or place in Latin America or Spain that left a lasting impression on you?
"A project: 'The latest project is often the most exciting. Since this summer of 2024, we have been collaborating with the French Chamber of Commerce in Quito, Ecuador, as part of a partnership project. The project involves around ten students, and the goal is to introduce Ecuadorian cocoa producers to the French chocolate market.'
An author: 'Eduardo LALO, a Puerto Rican author who won the Rómulo GALLEGOS prize for a novel highlighting Puerto Rico’s invisibility on the international scene. He’s also a colleague at UPR with whom we’ve developed several projects to raise awareness about this Caribbean territory in Brittany. Since 2012, 23 ALPI Master’s students have studied at UPR, two will go next semester, and around twenty LEA Bachelor’s students have done so since 2012. We also receive UPR students through a reciprocal agreement, and some of our students now live in Puerto Rico. This partnership enhances Puerto Rico’s visibility in France and fosters economic relations between us, and Eduardo LALO’s role in this great endeavor is undeniable. Others, like Gustavo Padrón, and Carlos Laboy Javier, also contribute to this initiative.'
A place: 'A place that left a “mark” on me? That’s tough! Can I mention two? Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, for their grandeur, dynamism, and modernity that’s unique on the continent. But there are so many others... '"
3) Could you tell us how you established and maintained relationships with partner universities?
“It’s important to ensure that the agreements made are real, meaning that they genuinely facilitate exchanges of students, researchers, teachers, and administrative staff. We need to renew them as they expire. In a program like ours, international in nature, with a required semester abroad for all students, we rely heavily on these agreements and their smooth functioning. Each partnership agreement has an institutional coordinator at the University of Rennes 2 with whom I can regularly check in to ensure that student placements are not in jeopardy. If they are, we find solutions. Fortunately, I am not alone in managing the institutional coordination of all the agreements offered in the ALPI program.
As for establishing new partnerships, they often result from a joint research project between researchers from two universities. This was the case with UPR and UFRJ, initiated in 2012 and 2014. This was also true for other partnerships I inherited after my Latin Americanist colleagues retired. And it’s currently the case for a new agreement we’re negotiating with the University of Vigo."
Personal Reflections
1) Finally, what excites you most about your work as the director of the ALPI Master’s program?
"The opportunity to be the bridge for students between their Bachelor's degree and their first job; introducing them to regions whose workings are largely unknown in Europe; and contributing to France’s economic development by training students with skills that companies need."
2) Is there anyone who has inspired you in your career, whether in academia or personally?
"Yes, many people. These individuals are part of every professional journey and life journey in general. They are essential. Without their advice, support, and sharing of knowledge, nothing could be implemented, advanced, or taught. In my case, there are many such people.
Regarding the ALPI Master’s program specifically, numerous people have been an inspiration in shaping the program as it is today. Many work or have worked to keep the program running, often without their names appearing in the program’s history.”
I want to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Rodolphe Robin for the valuable time he dedicated to answering my questions with such precision and generosity. Through his responses, he shared far more than just his career path and projects for the ALPI Master’s program: he provided an inspiring glimpse into his passion for teaching and fostering exchanges between Europe and Latin America. Thank you, Mr. Robin, for this inspiring insight, which enhances our understanding of the role and ambitions of this unique program.
Article written by Lilou Le Bihan
Comentários