Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Recipient Maya Mallak from Lebanon Shares Her Journey Pursuing a Master’s in Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence at EDHEC Business School

My name is Maya Mallak, and I am from Lebanon. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence at EDHEC Business School in France. I graduated from the American University of Beirut in 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a minor in Data Science.

During my undergraduate studies, I developed a deep interest in data and artificial intelligence. Economics gave me a solid understanding of how markets and institutions function, but learning machine learning and data analysis completely changed the way I approach problems. I became fascinated by how AI can uncover patterns, support better decision-making, and provide insights that traditional methods sometimes fail to capture. This naturally led me to pursue graduate studies at the intersection of data, AI, and quantitative analysis.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to pursue my Master’s degree at EDHEC Business School.

The Eiffel Scholarship is a highly competitive, government-funded program that provides:

• A monthly allowance of approximately €1,200 for Master’s students
• One round-trip ticket between France and the home country
• Health insurance (including assurance complémentaire)
• Cultural and academic support benefits

It is awarded based on academic excellence and leadership potential.

Important note: The Eiffel Scholarship does not cover tuition fees if the institution is private.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Yes. I was also awarded a 20% Women in Data Science Scholarship from EDHEC Business School.

Educational Background

I graduated from high school with an average of 18.6/20 and was ranked 14th in Lebanon in the official Lebanese Baccalaureate exams (General Science track).

I then completed my Bachelor’s degree in Economics (minor in Data Science) at the American University of Beirut.

During my undergraduate studies, I:

• Took advanced coursework in econometrics, macroeconomics, financial economics, data science, and machine learning
• Completed quantitative and technical projects in data analysis
• Maintained a 4.0/4.0 GPA
• Was placed on the Dean’s Honor List for all six semesters
• Received an academic award for outstanding performance

My academic background prepared me well for graduate studies in analytics and AI because it combined strong theoretical foundations with technical skills.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to EDHEC Business School?

I started researching programs early. I:

• Used university websites extensively
• Attended online information sessions
• Reached out to alumni and current students
• Followed scholarship pages and funding announcements
• Regularly checked business school funding opportunities

None of the programs I applied to required standardized tests since they were English-taught programs in France and the UK.

One very important note: The Eiffel Scholarship requires nomination by the institution, so applying early and expressing interest in funding is critical.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?

For competitive scholarships like Eiffel, grades alone are not enough.

I focused on:

• Presenting a clear and coherent academic narrative
• Showing consistent academic excellence (which is especially important for Eiffel)
• Explaining how my background logically connects to my future goals
• Demonstrating leadership through volunteering (Red Cross, Scouts) and community involvement
• Explaining why I chose France and how I aim to contribute academically and professionally

I spent a lot of time refining my motivation letters to ensure they were honest, structured, and aligned with the scholarship’s values.

Would Potential Students Have Academic Problems Without Knowing French?

Academically, no. If the program is fully taught in English (like mine at EDHEC), you will not face issues in class.

However, professionally, this is very important. Around 90% of companies in France require a fluent level of French for internships and jobs. If you plan to stay in France after graduation, I strongly recommend starting to learn or improve your French as early as possible.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe four main elements strengthened my application:

1. Academic excellence and consistency: maintaining a 4.0 GPA in a quantitative program.
2. A strong technical profile combining economics with data science and AI.
3. Languages: I speak English, French, and Arabic.
4. Resilience and leadership: through volunteering, Scouts leadership, and persistence despite setbacks.

Overall, my profile was coherent: my academics, experiences, and future goals were aligned.

What Would You Have Done Differently?

If I were going through the process again, I would:

• Start researching scholarships even earlier
• Prepare recommendation letters and documents further in advance
• Apply to an even wider range of funding opportunities
• Improve my French before moving to France

What Advice Would You Give to Future Applicants?

• Start early: scholarship deadlines are strict.
• Be strategic: apply to programs that truly match your profile.
• Build a coherent story: your CV, transcript, and essays should align.
• Do not self-reject: many scholarships seem intimidating, but you lose nothing by trying.
• Stay persistent: rejections are part of the process.

Most importantly, believe that your background, even if it includes challenges, can be one of your biggest strengths.

Good luck with your hunt!

Best, Maya Mallak