Why did you take part in the Math Olympiad in Cuba?

I chose to participate in the Olympiad because there are many advantages, and many other people do the same. The Ministry of Education exempts participants from the semester math exam. If you qualify for the International Olympiad, you don't have to take university entrance exams for studies in the relevant field. I think that if this were also the case here, more students would participate.

The first time I participated, in 11th grade, it went well. I think it was thanks to the substantial preparation time the school gave us that I was able to immerse myself in the world of mathematics. Without that preparation time, I'm not sure I would have passed the first round, and I probably wouldn't have tried again. We had time off from school to focus on mathematics, which was also the case for the other Olympiads.

Were there teachers to help you?

Teachers rarely had time to give lessons because there weren't enough staff at the school where I studied. It's also worth mentioning that the mathematics in the competition is very different from what we learn in school. We are asked to think differently, and a teacher must have a lot of experience to quickly get to grips with this. Yes, experience of the Olympiads plays a big role. The exams are marked by university professors from each province.

How far did you get in the competition?

I participated up to the national team selection, where I was ranked fourth. The budget only covered the travel expenses of two participants and one accompanying person to the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), so I didn't go.

Could you have competed in the IMO if your family had paid for the trip?

No, the Ministry of Education wants to cover all the costs. Even if I had suggested it, it wouldn't have been accepted; it's a communist country.

Who takes part in international competitions? Here, the Olympiads send different people to competitions as a form of recognition for gold, silver, and bronze medalists.

In Cuba, gold medalists travel to all international competitions, whether they are major or minor, such as regional competitions. If someone can't go, for example because they are too old, they are replaced by the next person in the rankings. I know this is the case in other countries, but not in Switzerland.

You have been living in the canton of Geneva for two years. Did you register for the Math Olympiad as soon as you arrived?

No, when I was selected for the Cuban national team, I felt that I was lacking a lot of knowledge and I began to have doubts. I moved and it took me a while to find my bearings, which increased my doubts about my abilities. In general, when you take part in a competition, you have to keep one foot in it and continue to study regularly, otherwise it's difficult to get back into it, even after a month. Fortunately, when you have experience, it's easier.

I knew that math Olympiads existed in many countries, so when I immigrated, I had this competition in mind. I easily found the Swiss Olympiads on the internet. I started high school in French, which requires effort, so I skipped a year. I changed levels, so I'm in a new school.

I practice math on a website. I asked my father and my math teacher for their opinion before registering for the Olympiad. He called to find out more and my teacher provided me with information. She also gave me the Math Olympiad flyer.

Have you ever participated in or would you like to participate in other Olympiads?

No, I had considered registering for the Physics Olympiad, but I'm not interested in the physics of international competition; I prefer everyday physics.

Have you noticed any differences between the first-round exams in Switzerland and Cuba?

You can see the difference. In Cuba, the level increases gradually from one round to the next. The threshold is low compared to the math taught in school. In Switzerland, I found that the gap between the mathematics taught in school and that of the first round was greater than between the subsequent rounds. In Cuba, the differences between the levels are more pronounced.

What about the exercises?

I noticed differences in the algebra exercises. On the other hand, the geometry exercises are almost identical. When preparing for the International Olympiads, the level is similar.

Tell me how your preparation for the International Olympiads went.

It was great fun. Before the selection for the International Olympiads, the participants from all the Olympiads and the teachers meet three or four months before the event to revise. Then, two months before, it's like a camp: the participants meet in an empty school and teachers come to train us. We are exempt from going to school, but we still have to make sure we pass the year. When you love what you're studying, it's really great, you're surrounded by friends. The Olympiads form a group, which is great. Since we study all day and have two months to prepare, in the evening we think about other things, except for those who are falling behind. In Cuba, people are friendly and it's easy to make friends.

It's a demanding pace. How do people who participate in several Olympiads in the same year manage?

They prepare at the same time. For example, people who are good at computer science are usually also good at math. I knew a girl who did that here.

I was surprised to learn that participants in mathematics also participated in philosophy, because I thought they were opposite disciplines.

What was your experience in the second round in Switzerland?

I feel like it's harder to connect with people here. It's different: here, I wasn't surrounded by friends like I was in Cuba. I felt a distance from the others. I experienced the competition more as a challenge to be overcome than as a moment of pleasure. I'm not yet comfortable with French or English, so I tend to keep to myself.

A volunteer who spoke Spanish helped me a lot by translating the exercises into my language, and I am very grateful to him.

Did your experience help you choose your studies?

My dream would be to become a teacher of fundamental mathematics, preparing students for international competitions. The mathematics of the Olympiads is beautiful because it is creative. I think I will study engineering, because I come from a family of engineers and I have always been immersed in it.

What could motivate other people to participate?

In my opinion, people are more likely to participate if they see an advantage. If you enjoy the subject, it's the happiness that encourages you to continue, not the initial advantage. For those who love science, there's no turning back.

Interview: Leonard Martin Cardenas Guilbert. Editing: Charlotte Vidal