When Sébastien Niel left his home in France for a training program in New Hampshire, running the TCS New York City Marathon wasn’t part of his plan. Yet on November 3, 2024, he’ll join more than 50,000 runners from around the world in what he calls “a dream, actually” – one made possible through his cultural exchange journey with InterExchange.
“When I first arrived in the U.S., I wanted to do the New York City Marathon so bad,” Sébastien recalls. “I looked how to participate, and I saw how hard it was… I was giving up on that dream, but thanks to InterExchange, I can do it.”
From Energy Engineer to Exchange Visitor
Sébastien’s American journey began with a desire to grow both professionally and personally. With a bachelor’s degree in thermal energy engineering and experience in France’s biogas industry, he sought to combine professional development with cultural immersion.
“I was looking to experience another culture, to learn a new language, to improve my English to be fluent—bilingual as much as possible—and mostly to leave my comfort zone as personal development,” he explains.
His path led him to Terragia Biofuel, a company associated with Dartmouth College that’s developing green energies using bacteria. The training perfectly aligned with his background in thermal and bioprocess engineering, though getting there wasn’t without its challenges. After his initial opportunity with a Michigan startup was unexpectedly rescinded due to layoffs, Sébastien had just three weeks to find a new host company – a deadline he met successfully.
Running Through Cultural Exchange
While his primary purpose in the U.S. is professional training under the BridgeUSA STEM initiative, Sébastien has fully embraced the cultural exchange aspect of his J-1 Visa program. A significant part of this has come through his involvement with the Upper Valley Running Club (UVRC), where he’s found both community and a distinctly American approach to running.
“American people are crazy on running,” he says with admiration. “Some of my running mates, they do Vermont 50 – it’s a 50-mile race, which is 80 kilometers… When I was part of the running club back in France, I didn’t see people doing that much—very, very long distances. American people are brave, I guess.”
The influence of his American running companions has pushed Sébastien to new heights in his own running journey. Inspired by a clubmate who completed the Vermont 50, Sébastien decided to attempt his first full marathon instead of the half-marathon he’d initially planned. He’s since completed three marathons, most recently setting a personal record of 3 hours and 53 minutes.
A Marathon with Meaning
The TCS New York City Marathon stands apart as one of the world’s most prestigious road races. In 2023, it drew 51,424 finishers, making it the world’s largest marathon. Getting a spot in the race is notoriously difficult, with many runners attempting for years to secure entry through the lottery system or by meeting strict qualifying times.
Sébastien earned his spot through InterExchange, which held a contest to award one guaranteed entry to a program participant. In his contest entry video, he shared his passion for running and its benefits: “I love very much to run for every benefit it brings. For example, it gets you healthy, it improves your mental health, and it improves your confidence.”
For the marathon, Sébastien plans to carry a piece of home with him – the flag of Brittany. “People from Brittany have a flag that they take with them because they are proud of where they are from, a little bit like Americans,” he explains. The flag holds particular significance, as he notes it was inspired by the American flag during Brittany’s independence movement.
He’ll also wear a t-shirt signed by 20 members of his running club, carrying their support and encouragement through the five boroughs. “I’m going for the experience,” he says. “I’m not going for the performance. I don’t care what time I do… I’m mostly going for the experience of people cheering at us and running in the city.”
Beyond the Marathon
Sébastien’s experience exemplifies the goals of the BridgeUSA program, which seeks to strengthen connections between the United States and other countries through educational and cultural exchange. His immersion in American culture has extended beyond his professional training to include everything from campus life at Dartmouth to exploring national parks with visiting family.
He’s also gained insight into American workplace culture, noting differences from his experiences in France. “Back in France, we are paid by the hour, but if we are five minutes late, it’s a big deal. But here, it’s not a big deal if you are 10, 20, half an hour late. It’s more easy going here,” he observes.
As Sébastien prepares for his fourth marathon – and arguably his most memorable one – he reflects positively on his American journey. “I think it’s definitely a good asset to have this experience on my curriculum,” he says. “I will be proficient in English, I will have international experience, I will be open-minded. So, it’s a lot of characteristics that employers are looking for.”
Whether he’s in the laboratory at Dartmouth, on the New Hampshire trails, or soon to be running through the streets of New York City, Sébastien continues to embrace new challenges and cultural experiences. His journey from France to the finish line of the TCS New York City Marathon represents not just athletic achievement, but the transformative power of cultural exchange.
The 2024 TCS New York City Marathon takes place on November 3, 2024. Track Sébastien and other runners through the TCS New York City Marathon app.
