The MSc IMBD - The ultimate international student welcome and experience
For Christopher Rehfus – a german student – a return to France to continue studying made perfect sense, following a highly successful Erasmus semester spent in Lyon and prior internship experience. He explains why he chose emlyon business school, the MSc in International Marketing & Business Development, and why conditions at the school are so conducive to learning and integrating smoothly into life on campus.
How would you describe the settling-in period at emlyon business school?
Christopher Rehfus : To be honest, it was pretty seamless and for two main reasons. Firstly, I had already spent time not only in France but specifically Lyon, studying and working. I very quickly got a taste for the French lifestyle and fell in love with the city, which is vibrant and cosmopolitan, so it was not before too long that I became a genuine Francophile. Secondly, emlyon proved truly welcoming from the outset. Every member of staff at emlyon is supportive and willing to connect with the new students, which creates a safe environment to start studies. The spirit of a diverse and dynamic surrounding with engaging professors made me curious to learn more for the year to come.
What set-up was in place for your integration as an international student?
“Onboarding was a quick and easy two-week process, helped enormously by all the information we received in advance of arriving on campus via WhatsApp groups with previous students and contact with the program manager over a series of Zoom calls. Then once on campus, guided tours were set up to familiarize us with our new surroundings, plus student events were held to present to us the many opportunities, be they linked to course components with themes such as climate change or simply association activities in which to get involved. Furthermore, there are several meetings organized by the program director to keep us informed about upcoming events like guest speakers, organizational issues connected to our studies or about planning the international seminar in Stockholm. These events through the whole year contribute to a strong group spirit and connection to class members. In addition, we also enjoy afterwork events on the emlyon campus to get to know more people from the program or other students from the school.”
What made you choose emlyon for your return to France?
“I had two main motivations – after the type of studies and the kind of learning environment that would motivate me. In my previous university in Germany, student life was more impersonal in terms of the way you were treated by staff whereas here at emlyon not only are you made to feel especially welcome but the manageable class sizes make it easier to fit in. Rankings results were also a motivating factor to study at emlyon, plus the international nature of the school, its programs, and student body. These were all major deciding factors behind my desire to pursue globally focused studies in marketing offering good professional prospects. The MSc in International Marketing & Business Development ticks all these boxes, plus I also appreciate the crossover nature of the curriculum, meaning areas such as sales and business development are now serious options for me.”
How would you describe the atmosphere on campus and in class?
“There’s a kind of positive tension at emlyon – the workload is not to be underestimated but the bond within our very cosmopolitan class is such that it creates a real hunger to learn. We enjoyed a week-long International Seminar in Stockholm in December that included visits to various companies and the French embassy in Sweden. We now have the exciting prospect of the semester abroad, which I will be spending in Vietnam. This is completely in line with the global flavor to the program, the school, and the cohort. There are 140 of us in the cohort this year, representing 17 nationalities, with people from all kinds of backgrounds including engineering, business, and even cinema! Not a day goes by where I am not studying with someone from China, Brazil, Russia… The list goes on!”
What are the main benefits you have derived from the program so far?
“The program is delivered by very driven staff who actively seek to take you out of your comfort zone, which is a challenge I fully embrace. The pedagogical style is very forward-looking without losing sight of the professional goals we are looking to reach. You get the full picture from this program – not just conceptual but crucially from an industry perspective as well. The learning is very skills-oriented, and a variety of different evaluation methods like presentations, producing a podcast or case study projects are adopted, testing you in all kinds of ways. This has given me a burning desire to want to discover and achieve more, including the Asian direction I’ll be taking with the semester abroad in Vietnam. These are exciting times!”
What recommendations would you make to prospective students considering a path like yours?
“Studying at a place like emlyon business school is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - on a course like the MSc in International Marketing & Business Development, the professors connect directly with the students, as people. There is an intense bond within the cohort as well. In short, at emlyon, all the perks of student life are within your grasp in one convenient place and as part of a truly international school, program, and cohort.”
