When considering studying at the Rothberg International School at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, thoughts of high-quality education, great company, delicious food, a fabulous city, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience naturally come to mind. And you wouldn’t be wrong. However, could you ever imagine that studying at HUJI's International School could also lead you to meeting the love of your life? For Dylan Vialla, 26, and his fiancée Aline Duthilleul, 23, this became a beautiful reality.
Hold onto your seats as we grab a moment with Dylan, who generously shared their unique journey while Aline was abroad. She chimed in with her thoughts, making this a truly international love story. Dylan will be answering most of the questions on behalf of the couple.
Meet the Couple:
Dylan Vialla (26, France), is currently serving as a Data Scientist Officer in the IDF Medical Corps through the Atuda program, simultaneously pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics at Bar Ilan University. Dylan’s journey at HUJI began with a Summer Ulpan course and the Mechina Program at The Rothberg International School in 2016-17. He later studied a BSc in Statistics & Data Science at HUJI from 2018 to 2022, considering those years as the best period of his life.
Aline Duthilleul (23, Uruguay) participated in the Mechina program in 2021/2022 and is currently pursuing a Double Degree in Statistics & Data Science and Linguistics.
Dylan and Aline got engaged in October 2023 and are planning to get married in December 2024.
The couple graciously shared their journey with us, offering insights into the blossoming of their love.
The First Meeting:
Dylan recalls, "I remember that day when I was in the HUJI dorms, heading out to the Makolet (shop) inside the Kfar together with my Turkish roommate Semi. From the entrance of the store, Aline appeared and greeted Semi, who was her Ulpan classmate. It was in August 2021."
Friendship Blossoms:
Dylan reflects on their initial friendship, saying: "She seemed very happy to meet someone from France. She invited Semi and me to a party in her apartment on that same day. Then she kept organizing parties every Thursday, and I tried to participate in each of them. We considered ourselves friends."
"In November 2021, we co-organized a huge Shabbat in the dorms, and from there, we understood that we are sharing something special: the love of organizing events, helping people interconnect and share their culture, values, experiences – the love of making each one important in our lives. Aline helped me build what I had been working on building over 4.5 years, a giant family."
Meaningful Spots on Campus:
Dylan shares, "As you may guess, our favorite spot is the dorms… But we love the view of the Temple Mount from the Hecht Synagogue which showcases the beauty of Jerusalem. The cafeteria of the Frank Sinatra building, and the Social Science building are also special. The entrance of the campus (Forum) with its wall, showcasing the contributions of past professors or students – with their Nobel Prizes or inventions - is a motivating sight. If I’m going through a rough patch, I like to stop by the botanical garden and clear my mind."
Advice for International Singles:
Dylan encourages: "Come! Don't hesitate and do everything you can to bring friends with you! Seriously, you can change people's lives by bringing them to HUJI. I’ve met the most extraordinary people in my life during the period I was student here. If you want to be part of the most intense experience and be part of a huge international family, you need to be here!"
Impact of Meeting at HUJI on Their Relationship:
Aline and Dylan affirm, "Meeting at HUJI has certainly impacted our relationship. HUJI is probably the only place in the world that has the power to take people from different horizons and make them unified, complementary, and therefore stronger. We've learned to accept our differences, sharing the best of our respective cultures, values, ideas, and qualities to grow together in life."
Congratulations and good luck to Dylan and Aline!