Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

Here’s What It’s Like To Be An EMBA Student At The World’s First Business School

Since 1819, ESCP Europe has nurtured a global alumni network with a strong community feel

Wed Oct 26 2016

BusinessBecause
Sebastien Delaval chose ESCP Europe over HEC Paris and INSEAD for his EMBA.

A trained engineer, Sebastien wanted to widen his business knowledge and transition into finance. The world’s first business school provided the perfect platform to do so. And, after graduation, Sebastien landed a top finance job at Macquarie Group in London.

For almost 200 years - since it was established in 1819 - ESCP Europe has attracted the brightest minds in business. Today, the school boasts a 40,000-strong alumni network, representing over 200 nationalities in 150 countries worldwide. 4,000 of those are high-level Executive MBAs.

“[ESCP Europe] had everything I needed to become a global business person,” Sebastien explains. “And the alumni community is really helpful before, during and after business school.”

ESCP Europe’s triple-accredited EMBA program is ranked 12th globally by the Financial Times, 2nd for international exposure and career progression. It boasts six European campuses; in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw. And its students can expect a 73% salary increase after graduation.

When Sebastien applied he was given application essay advice by an ESCP Europe alumnus. Now, he’s giving back, putting job-seeking EMBAs in contact with Macquarie’s HR department. One even received a job offer. For Sebastien, it’s the collaborative student experience at ESCP Europe which really stands out.

EMBA alumna Rezlaine Zaher agrees: “I chose ESCP Europe because of the spirit of the school,” she says. “In many other business schools I sensed a competitive atmosphere. At ESCP Europe, people help each other. There’s a real community spirit.”

Rezlaine’s class was composed of 27 different nationalities with students from the US, China, Africa and Europe. During her EMBA, she was able to tailor the curriculum to her needs. She took a “Women in Leadership” elective. She gained emerging markets experience in Brazil.

“The EMBA was one of the best decisions of my professional life,” Rezlaine continues. “ESCP Europe’s multi-campus learning approach, international seminars and wide portfolio of electives gave me different perspectives and contacts enabling me to conduct business in the global market.”

Prior to her EMBA, Rezlaine had over a decade’s experience in corporate communications. Her initial aim was to break through the glass ceiling within her own organization. But ESCP Europe opened new doors.

Through the EMBA’s International Consulting Project, she made her first foray into entrepreneurship, developing a business plan for a collaborative parking startup. Two years after graduation, she launched a Paris-based image consulting agency for high-level executives.

“Without the EMBA I wouldn’t dare do what I’m doing today!” she says. “I would credit it for everything. I gained all the basics in management, the soft skills, and the confidence I needed to build my business.”

Although Rezlaine completed her EMBA in 2013, she’s still very involved in the school community. She’s on the board of the ESCP Europe alumni association and in touch with her former classmates on a regular basis.

“I always remember what one alumnus said in my first induction seminar,” she continues. “He said: ‘After the EMBA at ESCP Europe, everything is possible.’ And it’s true.”

Until October 31st, applicants can partner with an EMBA alumnus and receive a €5,000 discount on their tuition fees. Find out more about ESCP Europe’s Alumni Referral Campaign here.

RECAPTHA :

2a

8c

01

fa