A business school’s global reach is an important measure of its success. ESSEC Global MBA students have been given a helping hand in Singapore, one of Asia's prosperous emerging markets.
When Saurabh Sakhuja decided which business school to apply to, ESSEC’s connection to emerging markets was ultimately what made his decision. He entered the school’s Global MBA program after several years in India’s tourism sector, but a few months later and he is banking on a career in Singapore.It was not an inspiring lecture or challenging case assignment that has helped to change the MBAs path, but a six-week immersion in one of Asia’s emerging economies.
“I’m from India, so I wanted to understand from the perspective of other people. I learnt a lot of things which if you were in Europe, you won’t have,” says Saurabh, who joined ESSEC Business School last year.
“When I joined the MBA, my decision was based in-part on the fact that [you get to visit] Singapore. I was looking forward to learning about Asian markets.”
Saurabh’s cohort have just flown back from a term spent studying in Singapore, part of the Global MBA programs’ timetable. The school believes that to succeed in today’s business world, global perspectives and cultural competencies are essential.
During the course of the entire Global MBA, students get to spend nearly three months outside of France, ESSEC’s base.
When Saurabh wasn’t studying at the school’s Singapore campus, he was visiting companies and established alumni – including KPMG, the leading audit firm. “We also had a lot of companies that visited us at careers fairs who spoke about how to apply for jobs and how things work in Asia,” he says.
“We have a lot of people working in Asia and always had alumni that we could get in touch with; there were a lot of good networking opportunities.”
A business school’s global reach is an important measure of its success. ESSEC’s Global MBA cohort also get a week-long field trip to an emerging market, the location of which changes year to year, and a team consulting project centered on a four or five week immersion in an emerging market. Exchanges to other schools are also an option.
“ESSEC is a French school but when you arrive in Singapore, the course is taught by Asian professors. It’s an amazing experience and makes me feel it’s a global program,” says Ting Ting Zeng, a Global MBA student from China.
She enrolled at ESSEC in 2013 after working as an area manager in Shanghai and Beijing, and is considering a finance career after graduation. Ting Ting says that the opportunity to network with financiers in Singapore were very important to “understand the job opportunities in Asia”.
“Before this trip I never considered working in South East Asia. But after this trip I have found it might be a good idea to find my career there. That’s the biggest change I have made,” she says.
Ting Ting thinks the relatively strong economies in the region translate into good job prospects for MBAs. An emerging market, Singapore is set for just below 4 per cent GDP growth this year, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore. It “amazed” her that Singapore’s economy is still growing strongly, which is a more positive situation than some regions of China, she says.
It is a sentiment echoed by Saurabh. “Singapore is always the first option for [my career]. Singapore is booming,” says Saurabh, who hopes to work in either banking or marketing when he graduates in 2014.
He says there is a tendency for companies to hire Singaporeans, but that in banking he is confident he can land an MBA job – and the visa process for international graduates is “not that tough either”.
For Ting Ting, the trip has opened up plenty of opportunities in the emerging economy. Her highlight was developing closer connections with the region. “I was very happy to learn more information about Asia and develop my knowledge,” she says.
“And secondly, it has let me come closer to the South East Asian economies, and opened more opportunities there for the future.”
Saurabh says that you need to understand the business mentality in Asia. But Singapore is thriving and he sees plenty of good opportunities for MBAs to work there.
“Singapore is a commercial place and people are working all the time. Europe has a nine-to-five, five-days-a-week culture, but Singapore is not the same,” he says.
“It’s always moving and it’s never shut. You learn a lot of things in Singapore – and being able to stay there for six weeks was the best part.”
Student Reviews
The best intercultural university
There are more than 50 nationality in the grade, so there are opportunities to interact with people from all around the world. In terms of academics, the BBA course offers diverse courses for the 1st
Creativity, adaptability and entrepreneurship
The Master in Management program at the ESSEC Business School allows the students to choose their courses accordingly to their preferences and their professional targets. We can also go through international exchange and take part in internships with companies that are also partners with the school. The school is also next to the city of Paris.
Top business school in France
Doing PhD in essec took some time, to be precise about five years. But the experience was very good and cost effective too. There are opportunities for the student for teaching assistantship and that helps both financially and in career. In the final year I could manage to teach marketing to M1 students and this helped shape my career
Great college
The program is well suited for early professionals with an engineering degree preferably or a degree in economics. I would suggest taking the ceasure irrespective of the experience level as it helps you take your time to adjust to the job market.
Good school in France
I am currently enrolled in M2 in Essec business school. I am specialising in marketing management. The Grande Ecole programme is valued in France and my school ranks very high up. There are a lot of opportunities for internships and CDD.
The program curriculum
BBA program. The program is really practical and useful, provide us many international opportunities. Like internship and humanitarian experience, and the flexibility is also really cool, we can choose different campus and tracks as we want.
International Course
This school is very international and business oriented. Highly recognized by the companies The campus has been renovated and is very functional and modern from now on. Excellent atmosphere. Reputation of essec is a plus
Friends, Career opportunities.
The program I did gave me the opportunity to start in Singapore. I got the chance to know all the students that started there and we bonded and made some friends for life. The career opportunities that ESSEC also gave me were unbelievable.
Practical and useful
I think the best thing about Essec is that it's not focusing on academics rather it emphasizes on future job mindset and professional experiences..
The classes are interesting and we have plenty of workshops attributing to different sectors..
The campus is very nice with a good cafe and wonderful library.
The only problem is the location of the campus. It's quite far from Paris.
Amazing experience! Must try
I think its a very amazing school with great and experienced faculty. Also the alumni network is very solid and useful. The school has a great balance of studies and work experience which is really essential for a student.
GBBA: Diverse, Enriching, and Career-Boosting
My experience at ESSEC Business School has been outstanding. The Global BBA program offers a rich academic curriculum and diverse learning opportunities. I appreciated the chance to study on different campuses, including an international exchange, which broadened my perspective. The social environment is culturally diverse and vibrant, enhancing both my personal and professional growth. The administration is attentive, constantly offering new academic and student life opportunities. The campus facilities and classrooms are excellent. I highly recommend ESSEC for its excellence, global exposure, and career opportunities.
ESSEC BS BBA REVIEW
The English track BBA program at ESSEC is simply exceptional. Courses are taught by internationally renowned professors who are experts in their field. The subjects taught cover a wide range of disciplines from marketing to finance, strategy and entrepreneurship. The English track is a major asset because it allows you to develop perfect mastery of professional English, essential in today's globalized business world. Some students love student life at Essec, which is one of the best in France, but it all depends on taste.
Great program, incredible school
I love almost everything about this school, from the student life to the academic program and the opportunities it provides.
I'm currently at the Paris campus, in Cergy, and I'm really enjoying it.
The BBA program is very rich and diversified, you can start with geopolitics and then finance, what I mean is that there's a great balance between the subjects in this program.
I was also lucky enough to spend a semester at the Singapore campus, and I loved that experience on the other side of the world.
ESSEC is also known for its dynamic and rich student life, with access to several parties a week and the various associations within the school.
If I could recommend just one school, it would be this one - I'm 100% satisfied.
Great experience
First of all, what I appreciate the most is the academic environment. The courses are extremely stimulating and are taught by high-level professors, often experts in their field. The diversity of subjects offered, ranging from marketing to finance, including entrepreneurship, allows you to acquire a complete and versatile education. The group projects, although sometimes stressful, are also an opportunity to learn to work in a team, which is essential in the professional world. One area that I feel could be improved is the management of student events. Although many activities are organized, I have noticed that some events can lack organization or communication, which can frustrate those who want to get involved. Better coordination between the different student associations and the administration could really improve the overall experience.
