ESCP Europe appeals to students with intercultural experience

To succeed in today’s diverse and multicultural workplace it is essential to have soft skills and be able to speak several languages. Experiencing an intercultural atmosphere by studying abroad in an academic context of excellence sets some aside from others.

The first step for a successful international career is choosing the best undergraduate program after high school. A degree that offers the opportunity to study management, liberal arts and languages abroad provides numerous personal and professional benefits.

Studying each year in a different country and experiencing intercultural management first-hand is one of the key characteristics of the Bachelor in Management provided by ESCP Europe.

The business school, founded in Paris in 1819, has educated generations of leaders and entrepreneurs with its unique style of cross-cultural business education and global perspective on international management issues.

Wang Xueying, a student in the third year of the BSc program, said: "I was an art student at The Affiliated High School of Peking University. ESCP Europe was highly attractive for me with its curriculum and track across different campuses, improving students’ comprehensive abilities."

"I really appreciated the cross-campus program, interdisciplinary studies and international experience ESCP Europe provides," said Jin Junyan, a student in his second year of the ESCP Europe Bachelor who, after the first year in Paris, now studies in Turin. She is going to attend the third and last year of the program in Berlin.

The ESCP Europe Bachelor in Management, characterized by international classes and faculty, takes place over three years in three different countries, allowing students to choose among these six: China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

In addition to the five cities where ESCP Europe has its main campuses (Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris and Turin), students currently have the opportunity to spend the first year in Beijing thanks to a partnership with Tsinghua University.

During the program, students learn not only management but also liberal arts and languages. This combination makes the Bachelor in Management a challenging, distinctive and exciting program.

Wang Xueying, who spent her three years in London, Turin and Berlin and is graduating next October, said: "I got to know more cultures and learn several languages. In a very short time, I very much improved my self-knowledge during my international travels, I got to broaden my horizons and develop different abilities."

Acquiring new languages is an effective way to develop new perspectives. Language training encourages students to consider other cultural vantage points – an essential skill for future careers in international business. This is especially true for students in management and business programs, where building international networks and pursuing global opportunities is so important.

With students looking for an edge in a competitive market, the ability to fit into an international and multicultural team is crucial. ESCP Europe prepares its students for multinational teamwork with practical real-life cases, business simulations and collective projects.

"It is definitely a good opportunity to study the backgrounds of different cultures. Even conflicts and mistakes help us grow. Also, flexibility and adaptability to uncertain environments are good qualities we develop," said Jin Junyan.

"Not all group-work is easy as clashes can happen between different cultures and personal habits. You need to be flexible and smart. ESCP Europe, with its rich cultural diversity, prepares students well for real and challenging work experiences" added Wang Xueying.

The most effective way to train job-ready talents is providing them with valuable professional experiences through at least two international internships, facilitated by ESCP Europe, thanks to its strong links to the corporate world.

These practical experiences help students and recent graduates build global networks even before landing an entry-level position. Exposure to foreign markets and business practices can help students specialise their knowledge and develop a range of abilities that set them apart in their home countries.

Studying abroad is an experience like no other, and it may turn out to be a once in a lifetime opportunity.