ESSEC Business School I Global BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) I Study in France
- Tell Me Panda Team
- May 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 7
Name: Yana
From: Russia, Moscow
Studied in: France, Paris
Studies start: 2016
Grade: Global BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
Program: Double Degree Program
University: ESSEC Business School
Partner University in your country: Plekhanov Russian University of Economics (REU)
Program satisfaction rate:5/5
Internship: Found
Job: Found
🎓 Application
How did you learn about this program?
Through the partner university in Russia (Plekhanov Russian University of Economics), ESSEC’s website, and senior students at Plekhanov.
Why did you decide to enrol in this program?
The university’s ranking, the country, and career opportunities after graduation were decisive factors.
What was your application experience?
The double degree program was part of my bachelor’s degree, so the only exam required was IELTS (6.5). Plekhanov in Moscow and ESSEC in France helped with documents and visa questions.The student support system was very well organized on both sides.The only issue I faced was with course registration. Students can choose their courses, but it works on a first-come, first-served basis. At ESSEC, that means you have to register for your preferred courses within seconds of the platform opening.
What level of English is required to enter this program?
IELTS 6.5
What level of French is required to enter this program?
Not required
💡 Your impressions from your study abroad experience
What are your general impressions about this program?
It was a great and much-needed experience of stepping out of my comfort zone and a huge leap both personally and professionally. The people and the opportunity to communicate with students from different cultures and mentalities had the biggest impact on me. Being fully immersed means that everything you learn in class is multiplied by the discussions you have with classmates. The program is very practice-oriented—every bit of theory has to be applied right away in real-world cases. One thing I noticed after moving on to my Master’s was that ESSEC didn’t emphasize networking (except for the career fair). This could be due to the nature of the undergraduate program, as many international students didn’t stay for internships.Still, the career center and professors were always open and supportive.
What was the major program value for you?
Understanding future development opportunities in France, internship experience, valuable contacts (both students and professors), and real-life application of theoretical knowledge.
What did you like about this program?
The people, the ability to create your own schedule, student evaluation of teaching (which is actually taken into account),the theory-practice approach (as much as possible for a business school), and teamwork-based assignments.
And what didn’t you like?
Not enough open projects outside of core courses.
What is the hardest part of studying abroad?
Adapting to a new culture and mentality.
Is this experience different from your experience at your country’s university?
If yes, how?
Yes, there’s a stronger focus on practical work, teamwork, and the value of internships during your studies.
How did your typical day look like?
Morning classes – sports – library and working on assignments (often as a team) – bar/dinner/Paris (depending on the time, especially for those living in Cergy).In the second semester, internship search became a part of the daily routine.
📌 Useful resources
If you had questions or issues (studies, language, administration, careers, integration etc), where did you get help/advice?
From other students, the office for international students, the coordinator for international programs, the career center, student support center, and alumni from the same program.
Did you contact other students with a similar experience?
Was their experience helpful?
Yes!
Could you recommend websites which might help study abroad?
I didn’t know any at the time.
💰 Finance
What was the cost of your program? How did you finance your studies?
Only costs were for the visa and housing, since this was a double degree program.
🏠 Accommodation
What was your accommodation experience?
ESSEC offers three residence halls near the school – very convenient, clean, with different price ranges. You can live alone or share with another student. Everything is clearly explained in brochures, and the administration is always available to help.
How much did you pay for living per month during your studies?
Around €1000 (with €500–600 for housing). After CAF (housing aid), the amount can be adjusted.
🚀 Career opportunities
Did you do an internship during your studies? How did you find it?
Yes, a 6-month internship in France at AXA. I found it myself via LinkedIn.
Did your university help you in this process?
Only with administrative questions in my case.
What was the field of your internship? If you don’t mind please share the remuneration you got.
Digital marketing – €1300 gross.
Did you find a job after graduation? Which field and how did you find it?
Yes, but after my Master’s – in consulting. EDHEC helped me a lot at that point.
🌏 Your future plans
What are your plans? Do you plan to stay in the country?
Yes, I plan to stay in France long-term.
What do you like about France? And what not?
I like the openness and freedom of choice, the lifestyle and culture, and the general motivation of people. I don’t like the bureaucracy (!!!!) and the transportation system—mainly the frequent strikes.
Could you give a piece of advice to future students?
Talk more to alumni and map out every step in detail—from application to graduation—considering different possible scenarios.
Date: May 2018
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