Robert Olszewski

An Interview With...

Frédérica Combes

Millau, France

Where did you grow up? What were your favorite activities as a child?

I was born in Paris where my parents were pursuing their education. We returned to Tananarive (Madagascar), where they were from, when I was two years old. I spent my childhood in Tananarive and received a very strict education. Because I was the oldest child, and I was a girl, I never had authorization to leave. On the other hand, I have a very strong bond with my cousins (there are 15) and I often spent time with them.

I always enjoyed literature and since I did not go out much, I read a lot. My grandmother had a shoe store, and during my breaks from school, I would work in the store. It was an opportunity for me to have a little contact with the outside world. While selling shoes in this store, at my young age, I was able to overcome my extreme shyness.

I do not know if it was because I was born in Paris, but I always dreamed of traveling... to return to Paris and to see New York and Rio de Janeiro. Besides traveling, I dreamed of spending a year in New York to learn the English language. I was never able to do that but happily, my oldest son has been able to live my dream.

Did you have any teachers who made a memorable impact on your education?

I was always attracted to languages and travel. Two English teachers from Canada, who arrived to teach for two years in the strict school where I studied, were like a breath of fresh air to me. They were warm, vibrant, interesting and they told us about their country.

Meeting those two teachers made me appreciate, even more, the English language. It also increased my desire to leave... to see more than what I had. I think I also longed for a little freedom.

When did you leave Madagascar?

I left Madagascar in 1974 because in 1972, there was a radical change in the educational system after a change in political regime. From one day to the next, the teaching of the Malagasy language became obligatory where before it had not been taught at all. I took advantage of that by telling my parents that I would never finish my education if I stayed there.

This departure to France, and my first contact with young girls in a boarding school in a Parisian suburb, was a true liberation for me. In spite of my timidity, I had my first girlfriends and, for the first time, I felt free. Although this was only in my head, in reality I would be trapped there for many years because of my education.

Did you live in any other countries or experience other cultures or languages as a child?

My life was always influenced by the western culture and the Malagasy culture (let us say Eastern). The Malagasy culture taught me respect for others, courtesy and smiles. The Western culture taught me open-mindedness and the desire for freedom. I must point out that freedom does not mean you can do anything you want. To me, freedom means to be able to do what you want within reasonable limits. It is not because one is free that one can do whatever.

When you relocated from the country of your birth, where did you settle?

After leaving Madagascar, I spent a formidable year in a French school in Paris to finish my baccalaureate. Unfortunately, I was still too locked up in my timidity and my education that I did not select, in time, a path for my studies. I could, despite everything, spend two years as an unregistered student in the school of engineering or, by chance, meet my future husband. I say chance, because I was so timid and closed-minded, I never imagined someday marrying a foreigner (he is French).

What languages do you speak?

I speak Madagascan and French. Although I am of Malagasy origin, I mastered more the French language because all my studies were in French. I was born in France and my first words were French.

I learned English and Spanish in school, as they do in the French education system. Even if I did not completely master them because of my accent, I can manage in conversations with English and Spanish speakers. I tried to learn German but I stopped due to lack of time and because I found it very difficult due to the grammar and accent.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you realize any of those early dreams?

From the time I was a child, I dreamed to be living free in a large city like Paris and to discover other large cities like London, New York and Rio de Janeiro. I also dreamed of learning to speak many languages.

Life allowed me to realize some of my dreams, like spending time in London, New York, Rio and Montreal. My only regret is not continuing my education but, like my husband says, "if you had not stopped by my school, we never would have met."

We have two children. My husband is always very busy traveling so I made the choice to care for our children and our home. I could also help my children with their studies. Today, our oldest just finished his studies and spent 6 months at an American university. He realized the dream of my youth. Who knows if someday, in spite of my age, I might spend a month in the United States or Canada to make true progress in English since immersion is the best way to learn.

What were your least favorite or most difficult subjects in school?

I have a very literary spirit and I was never very strong in scientific matters. I can even say that I have a certain mental block when it comes to numbers. The year when I was a boarder in the Parisian suburbs, a girlfriend had the kindness, throughout the year, to explain to me all that I did not understand in mathematics. This enabled me to receive good grades. I am very grateful to her.

At home, if there is anything technical to be done, I leave it to my husband or children. When my children were in primary and secondary school, I was able to help them whenever they had difficulty in areas of a literary nature. To each his own, no?

What education and career paths did you follow?

As I mentioned above, aside from the baccalaureate I do not have any other diplomas. In Millau I took a course in import/export which lasted about 6 months about 15 years ago. For the last three years, I have been studying English so as not to forget the valuable asset that I have.

If you could relive your life, is here anything you would have liked to do different?

With the experience that comes with age, in all humility, I think that education is very important for the future of a young person. The parents must try their best to guide their children, taking into account the personality of each one, so that their child can grow and realize their full potential.

Do you have any advice for the students reading this interview?

For those lucky enough to have parents and teachers who listen to them, do not hesitate to talk to them. They will open the world to you, enabling you to better understand all that surrounds you.

Do you have a favorite quote (or a favorite person) that inspires you?

I admire all the people who want to do good for others. I acknowledge that I was very agreeably surprised when I read in the magazines that Bill Gates and his wife devote a part of their riches to helping the poor countries. It is a subject which touches me deeply because Madagascar, my country of origin is still a very poor country.

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- 20 July 2007

Last Updated:
6 April 2007