Field Trip - An Insight on the Finance Industry in New York

By Gianluca Errico, Global MBA Ambassador 2017-2018, Finance Major

From Monday, 9th April till Friday, 13th April 2018, participants from the Finance Major of the Global MBA and students from the Master in Finance went on a field trip to New York where we had the opportunity to meet up with industry leaders from the financial sector. We met a variety of brokers, hedge fund managers, portfolio managers, financial analysts and chief strategists from various companies. We even had the chance to attend an alumni event to meet former students and hear about their experiences after graduation. The aim of the trip was to exchange industry knowledge within the sector and enlarge the network of the students. Even though we had a packed schedule, we still had time to explore Manhattan. To give you a deeper understanding of this enriching adventure, I want to share some of the highlights of this experience with you.

Discovering Regional Challenges and Opportunities in Dubai

By Erin Thibodeau, Global MBA Ambassador 2017-2018, Luxury Brand Management Major

One of the selling features of the ESSEC Global MBA Major in Luxury Brand Management for me when I was applying, was their proposed field trips throughout the course of the program. These trips explore both mature and emerging luxury markets and give the class the opportunity to learn first-hand about challenges and opportunities in different regions, and to interface directly with companies in these markets.

Our class’ first trip this year was to Dubai: a warm relief from the French winter and also the first time in the Middle East for many of us. With the weekend of our arrival off, we spent time exploring Dubai, visiting the newly opened Louvre in Abu Dhabi, or conducting retail research for an assignment that accompanied our field trips.

Preparing for your MBA journey

By Hang Nguyen, Global MBA Ambassador 2017-2018, Digital Business Major

Deciding whether or not to pursue an MBA is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your career. The journey can be an intensive process from preparing for the GMAT, networking with alumni, reflecting on your career goals to choosing an appropriate program and getting yourself ready for school. In order to help you navigate the application and preparation process for an MBA more easily, I would like to share some personal tips based on my experiences:

1. Self-reflection

Start looking back on your career and also think about the future. Where do you want to go and what field do you want to get into post-MBA? Why do you think it is a good time to go for an MBA at this moment? This is an important step to take, because introspection is the only way you will be able to identify where your interests truly lie and find your own path. This is also to ensure that you do not feel lost after completing your MBA. 

2. Personal research

Do your own research to get an idea of what a typical program will look like. Start reading business publications frequently. This will help you keep track of what is happening in the real world, to understand the courses better and to decide whether it is within your interest to study about these topics in the near future.

3. Networking

Talk to people who have the same career interest or have undergone a similar path as you. At this stage, take the time to listen to their stories about the journey instead of asking for too much advice. Everybody will have a different reason for joining an MBA, so this is simply to help you get a hang of what your life could possibly be like if you decide to go for the MBA.

Field Trip - A Perspective on the African Economy: Business in Morocco

By Araceli McAdam, Global MBA Student Ambassador 2017-2018, Strategy & Management Major

The Kingdom of Morocco greeted the Global MBA’s Strategy & Management, Digital Business, and Enterprise Innovation majors from both the France and Singapore campuses for a one-week intensive field trip, exploring eight companies in various industries. The aim of the trip was to expose students to working possibilities in Africa and to understand Morocco’s strategic importance and influence for local and international companies alike. The industries ranged from automotive manufacturing to food and dairy packaging- a diverse collection but all shared the warmth of Moroccan hospitality. This trip also provided an opportunity to visit ESSEC’s newest campus at Rabat with light exploration of scenic landmarks, including Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque.

Hospitality Management Field Trip to Berlin

by Sarah Livingston, Global MBA Student Ambassador 2017-2018 | Hospitality Management Major

For the week of March 4th – March 10th, participants from the Global MBA Hospitality Management major hit the road and headed from Paris to Berlin, Germany for the 21st annual International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), held at Berlin’s Intercontinental Hotel.  What a week it was!

For the 60+ hotel company CEOs, 180+ guest speakers, and over 2,000 attendees at this year’s IHIF Conference, this event was a chance for real estate and hospitality professionals from over 80 different countries to meet, network, initiate potential deals, and attend seminars on a variety of related topics.  Overall, it was a chance for hoteliers to do what hoteliers do best: connect.  We got to take part in the action by attending the networking events and reaching out to some of our new connections to meet and find out more about their part of the industry, which helped us work out more of our career details for ourselves and forge ahead in our own future post-ESSEC paths.


Included in the companies that attended were AccorHotels, Barcelo Hotel Group, The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Choice Hotels International, Dream Hotel Group, Hilton, IHG, Wyndham, and many, many more. What a roster!  In addition to these impressive companies, however, were also an almost uncountable number of new startups and hospitality brands who were looking to promote their new ideas and expand their company personas.  Several of us had opportunities to sit down with these entrepreneurs, as well as hear their startup pitches at several pitch competitions throughout the week.  We are bowled over by the innovative ideas about to hit the marketplace.