“I think my creative side can really shine in research"

Eliott Atom Croubalian has the confidence of someone who knows where he’s going. At just 20, his choices appear clear and deliberate. Yet he navigates between two seemingly opposite worlds: the arts and the sciences. “I took math and physics in high school, but honestly, that doesn’t define me. I could just as easily have pursued an artistic diploma.”

At one point, it even seemed like the arts might prevail over science. “I made a film that won the Swiss Federal Matura Thesis Prize, awarded by the Bern University of the Arts (Hochschule der Künste Bern, HKB). I also wrote and directed a play at the far°, an important theater festival in Nyon.” So, how did he end up at EPFL? “During my experience at the festival, I met established artists who all struggled to make ends meet. That reality really made me think twice about pursuing a career in the arts.”

Eliott set his sights on finding a more stable career that could bridge both the arts and science. “My father is an architect, so I already had a pretty good idea of what the field involves. I knew it was highly interdisciplinary.” This choice turned out to be a perfect fit. “We have technical courses, artistic ones, and classes in social sciences and architecture. It’s an incredibly rich combination! The curriculum is highly multidisciplinary yet remains very coherent.”

His start at EPFL, however, was nearly thrown off course. “I was struggling to find housing, and it really stressed me out. It meant having to commute long distances every day from Geneva. I wasn’t even sure it was feasible, especially since we often finish after midnight, when there are no trains back at that hour.”

The fellowship changed everything. “It made finding housing much easier, and I found a place just five minutes from campus.” This allowed him to fully dive into his studies and even continue a few artistic projects on the side. “I’ve mangaged to find a balance, but it requires almost military-level time management.”

“The fellowship also connected me with people from different fields, which is important for someone as eclectic as I am.” The fellowship recipients even spent a week in Chamonix together before the semester started. “That was all it took to build a team spirit.”

And when asked where he sees himself in the future, Eliott once again shows his sharpness of mind. “I see myself in research. I think my creative side can really shine there. For example, the world really needs major innovations in housing to address climate change.” There’s no doubt—he’s on the right path.