If you have ever considered Why MBA, then these new students should provide you with a glimpse into what it is like within your first two weeks at a top European b-school. ESSEC's MiM program was ranked 5th in the world in 2012 by the Financial Times and in 2011, ESSEC was the 8th-best b-school overall. Click here to see a full list of MBA Rankings.
ESSEC offer a Global MBA, an MBA in International Luxury Brand Management, an MBA in Hospitality Management and an Executive MBA program. With over 42,000 alumni worldwide and 90 different nationalities represented across campuses in Paris and Singapore, ESSEC is a popular choice for prospective MBAs who want to launch an international business career.
We spoke to two MBAs hoping to do just that. Claudia Pumarejo is part of the fresh-faced cohort who started studying last month, and was inspired to attend ESSEC for a career leap and international networking opportunities with a diverse class.
She thinks that ESSEC differs from other MBA programs because it offers a truly international learning experience. "I was inspired by the idea of living in Paris, such an iconic city, in the dreams and fantasies of many people," she said. "The fact that the school has a Campus in Singapore, that the program includes an international immersion project and a field trip, added to the International approach of it.
"I was attracted by the idea of the career leap, the networking and the opportunities available for MBA graduates. So far I am pleasantly satisfied about the quality of the professors and their advanced methods of teaching.
"I’m also very happy about the handpicked selection of the people in our class. Our classmates are all very capable and bright people. When I got here in France, I confirmed that the school is indeed very prestigious."
Claudia took part in a military-style boot camp with all the other new MBA students at St. Cyr - an elite military academy in France that runs a few short leadership training programs with certain grandes écoles in France. She "loved" the experience and wants to go into strategic positions after graduation.
"The military training camp was one of the special features of the MBA," she said. "I loved the organization, the structure and the experience as a whole. We did some activities intended to challenge us both physically and mentally. We were at the edge most of the time, testing our limits and getting to know ourselves and our classmates better in the process.
"I learnt about the gift of natural leadership. I want to get the tools to deal with planning and executing, to take on more strategic roles and better positions. Of course, I hope I can graduate with a lot of good fellows from my class and a good network."
Jonathan Seeyave was inspired to study at ESSEC to make the next step-up in his career. He just started on the Global MBA program and thinks his first week studying in France has been fulfilling. "I was very impressed with ESSEC's curriculum and its course content, travelling to study in different countries and working with companies in the international immersion project," he said.
"The staff and teachers have impressed me with their knowledge and organisation. They have made us feel comfortable and I feel the course is improving every year. If this is only the first week, I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the course."
Jonathan swapped a suit and tie for a camouflage uniform and tried his hand at combat training, building and rafting across a lake, and navigating through an obstacle course. He learnt the value of leadership.
"The military training camp in St Cyr was an intense experience. It is a course on leadership and it pushes people to their limits and beyond, in terms of physical and mental capabilities," he said.
"You learn a lot about your fellow students, about yourself and how working together can make the impossible happen. While at ESSEC I want to gain knowledge, experience, friends, being part of the ESSEC philosophy and last but not least, get a job!"
To find out more about ESSEC Business School and their MBA programs, visit their page by clicking here.
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ESSEC Business School
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