For example, while a Master in Management degree at a top US school such as NYU Stern sits as $72,000, in France the average figure for a top-ranked school stands at a comparatively lower $40,000. 
For Aashna Menda (pictured right), a communications graduate from Mumbai, the prospect of living in the enigmatic capital of Paris also drew her in.
“It just seemed like a dream city, but not too slow. I wanted something similar to Mumbai; a fast city with a fast-paced life,” she says.
In her search for the right program, Aashna came across the two-year Master in Management at ESSCA School of Management, Paris. Not only does the school offer a competitive total tuition cost of €13,125 per year, it also offered a Marketing and Retailing specialization with strong connections to the luxury industry—an area that Aashna wanted to delve further into.
Depending on the specialization that students pick—such as Finance, Accounting and Management Control—the program can also be studied across eight different campuses, including Lyon, Budapest, and Shanghai.
Once Aashna was accepted onto the MiM program she was able to apply for ESSCA’s Excellence scholarship; a fund offered to international masters students which can cover up to 25% of tuition fees.
The application simply involved downloading a scholarship form from ESSCA’s website and answering questions surrounding her academic record, non-academic excellence, diversity, community service, volunteer activities, and international outlook.
She was then shortlisted, and, after two weeks of waiting, told she had been awarded the scholarship.
Now almost a year into her dream MiM program, Aashna identifies three major ways that the scholarship has positively impacted her investment in her business education in France.
1. More time to focus on classes
As many students worldwide can attest to, having to work part-time during your degree is far from ideal—particularly in an expensive city such as Paris.
“I'm really grateful that they took away one [worry], so that I can focus on my studies,” Aashna says.
With the jam-packed nature of the MiM’s curriculum—which includes core courses such as data analytics, leadership, and CSR—it’s important to be able to give yourself time to digest all of the new information.
The scholarship money made it easier for Aashna to secure an apartment close to the ESSCA campus, allowing her to dive into her classes straight away.
One aspect of the degree so far that Aashna has reaped the benefits from is the emphasis placed on presentations and public speaking.
“With so many opportunities to talk in front of multiple people and huge crowds, I feel more confident now,” she says.
2. More extracurricular opportunities
Often one of the most enriching parts of a Master in Management is the ability to get stuck into extracurricular activities.
Particularly at ESSCA, which has been awarded Campus France’s “Bienvenue en France” certification for its high-quality reception of international students, there are a variety of events organized to help those from overseas adjust to their new life on campus.
One such event that stood out to Aashna was the international student welcome day, which included activities such as volleyball, treasure-hunting, and networking while barbecuing.
“That was one of my favorite days because I met so many people that are still my very good friends today, six months later,” she says.
Additionally, ESSCA also offers several associations in the realm of arts, culture, and sports that students are encouraged to get involved in (which even includes a club for wine-tasting).
Given Aashna’s interest in the luxury and marketing world, she immediately gravitated towards the ESSCA Luxury Society. There, students are put in contact with high-end companies such as Hermes and Dior, with whom they organize talks and store visits.
“We get to network with other brands and people, which is really helpful, especially in this field,” she says.
3. Increased career opportunities
Another crucial area that the scholarship has given Aashna time to focus on is exploring her career opportunities.
In the ESSCA MiM, students are required to take part in an internship of their choosing at the end of the first year, after which they then specialize in one of 10 different fields.
Since landing the right internship can have a large influence over the rest of the course, it’s important to give it the time and consideration it deserves.
Fortunately, ESSCA has a Careers Center that provides one-on-one career coaching to students looking for their first jobs or internships.
“They guide you with how you need to go ahead with the applications. They’re extremely helpful,” Aashna says.
Positioned in enterprise-driven Paris, ESSCA graduates can enter a range of career paths, such as sustainable management, finance, and marketing.
Plus, three years after the MiM, they can also expect average salaries of roughly $68,000—more than double the cost of the tuition fees.
Successfully landing a scholarship has enabled Aashna to maximize her ROI while studying. For other students who are applying for funding, she advises:
“You should be real with your answers. Don't try to show people that you want to do something very big, don't try to show that you're the best. Just be yourself. Tell them about what your dreams and hopes are, and what you aspire to be.”
Student Reviews
ESSCA
