Exchange study is an experience not to be missed
Going to Paris for international mobility? I never thought about it, but it happened! A miracle that was realized thanks to HSE. And not just studying at a university, but at a business school! It should be explained because the French education system is very different from the model of education in Russia. Commercial business schools are the leaders in providing higher education in France. Almost everyone in France dreams of going to business school because this is the guarantee that you will find a great job in the future. Employers in France first of all look at the candidate's resume which business school the applicant has completed. Of course, studying in such business schools is expensive.
About the study
I went to study at ESSEC business school. This school is one of the top three business schools in France, along with ESCP and HEC Paris. The ESSEC "Master in Management" program that I entered was ranked 3rd in the world by the Financial Times in 2019. Thus, applying to such a business school was a little ambitious, but if you have strong desire - everything is possible!
It is a very strange feeling to be a foreign student at HSE and yet go to another country again. I felt like I was not just an exchange student in France, but like a double foreign student.
The organization of the educational process at ESSEC is very different from HSE. Before the beginning of the academic term, you choose the subjects from the huge list offered. The most important thing is to create a curriculum that covers the entire volume of the allocated number of credits. In other words, there are no mandatory disciplines. The languages of courses are English and French, depending on which discipline you choose. A great advantage of training is the practical orientation of almost all disciplines. This was one of the important factors for me, to choose a course based on my interests. For example, I chose to study such subjects as "Programming in Python", "Advanced Excel for business", etc. I also think it is important that you can improve your French by simply choosing a language course that matches your level of proficiency. Due to the fact that all students choose different courses, you do not have a permanent group of students with whom you study. This is a huge advantage for developing your communication skills, you need to overcome your embarrassment and have a communication with a huge number of guys from different countries.
About the campus
The campus where I studied is located in the city which is called Cergy. The city is part of the Île-de-France region, the center of which is Paris. So, from the campus itself to Paris about 30-40 minutes by train. ESSEC also has a campus in Paris itself, but it is intended for those who are studying for an MBA program. My campus is the main one where all undergraduate, graduate and preparatory students study. There are also two campuses abroad – in Singapore and in Morocco.
I was fascinated by my campus as soon as I walked inside. It is equipped with the latest technology, has an organic, interesting design and provides everything that a student's soul can desire. The most interesting is the bar, which is located opposite the library (students can relax there after courses), the gym (for those who love sports), and a huge number of student associations (ESSEC is the leader in their number among French universities).
About Paris
The most beautiful city I've ever seen! It is difficult to describe all the feelings that I feel in relation to the most famous city in the world. But, all of them are a mixture of admiration and surprise, from the fact that you are here in Paris, a city that you have only seen on pictures and on TV. Paris is always: the Eiffel tower, croissants from the nearest bakery, the world of palaces and museums, diverse and delicious food in restaurants, evening walks along the Seine river, polite French people, and amazing architecture of houses.
My gratitude to HSE
I express my gratitude to our University for giving such a wonderful opportunity to study exchange at the best universities in these countries for free and even receive a scholarship! In addition, it is an opportunity to travel and expand your borders, for example, I have also been to the Netherlands, visited the capital of the country – Amsterdam and the business capital-the city of Rotterdam. Amazing cities that I will always remember!
I am grateful for the new friends from different countries of the world, for professional, personal and cultural enrichment I received which is difficult to overestimate.
So, choose ESSEC and you will never regret it :)