4 top benefits of studying in different campuses abroad

No matter where you are, studying in a new location can be the beginning of an adventure. Life on a new campus surrounded by fresh faces, new scenery, and different classes can be a great way to ramp up your b-school experience. 

That’s why many b-school students opt to spend time across multiple campuses while studying. Plus, more than just a fun stint in a new place, studying in a different campus can also be a great way to boost your CV. According to a recent GMAC survey, cross-cultural communication skills are the most important quality that new job applicants can possess—even over cutting-edge knowledge in areas such as AI and data analysis. 

The best way to improve them? By getting out of your comfort zone. Picking a business degree that allows you to study in two different locations allows you to compare and contrast different learning, management, and team-building practices, making you a valuable asset in an ever-globalizing job market. 

So, what are the some of the key benefits of studying in another campus?

1. Develop cross-cultural communication skills 

Though Fanni Osvat (pictured) was enjoying working in her marketing role at the Big Four accountancy firm, KPMG, she still felt the need for a new challenge. Searching for a new step in her career path, she made the decision to study a Master in Financial Management at the ESSCA School of Management, Paris.

Having moved around the US, and Australia as a child, Hungarian-born Fanni already had a taste for exploring new environments. After completing a bachelor’s in ESSCA’s Budapest campus, she knew the school had a strong, international focus, as well as a wealth of opportunities to study abroad. 

As part of the five-year ‘Programme Grand Ecole’ (of which the Master of Financial Management is included), students are required to study in another one of ESSCA’s ten campuses—in France, China, Luxembourg, Hungary, or Spain. 

Since Fanni had previously studied in Budapest, she had already fulfilled the program requirement to study abroad, making the decision to study in one of Europe’s most visited cities seem like a no-brainer.

Other Masters programs at ESSCA, such as the MSc in Artificial Intelligence and the MSc EU-Asia Luxury Marketing, allow students to study in other global campuses, such as Malaga and Shanghai. 

Gaining the opportunity to embark on a new journey in Paris introduced Fanni to a new, culturally diverse environment. The collaborative nature of the degree helped Fanni further develop her intercultural communication skills.

“When you put four or five brains together, and everybody comes with a different perspective, it makes things really interesting,” she says. 

2. Explore a new city

Of course, one of the greatest benefits of studying in a new campus means that you also get to live nearby. That’s particularly powerful when the city in question is Paris. 

With hundreds of famous museums, art galleries—the Louvre being just one example—and glamorous bars, there is never a shortage of exciting activities to get up to in your free time.

Another important aspect of French culture that Fanni particularly enjoys is the more relaxed attitude that people have towards not just school, but also life.  

“The coffee culture here is more like a tradition. In Hungary, you go, you grab a coffee, but here you sit down, you talk, it has a vibe,” she explains. 

It may sound slightly frivolous, but learning how to socialize within a specific culture is an important business skill—one that is best picked up by living and working in the country. 

3. International networking

Often just as important as the classes themselves, networking is an essential part of life at business school. And what better way to do it than on a large, international campus?

ESSCA boasts students from all over the world on its campuses, making it an ideal environment to make important connections. 

“Regarding student life, there's a lot of opportunities to meet people and get involved with extracurricular activities,” Fanni says.

With multiple sports, arts, and humanitarian associations, the school provides the perfect opportunity to further develop soft skills and to connect with other like-minded students in a fun, non-academic setting. 

Not to mention, ESSCA  also has a large alumni community with whom students can connect at any given time in 14 worldwide locations, such as London, Munich, and Tokyo.   

“We can see where they are in the world, and where they work,” Fanni says. 

4. New career opportunities 

Exposure to a new city also means an opportunity to check out a whole new array of potential career paths. 

At ESSCA, all business school students can avail of a Careers Center which allows them to book appointments with mentors regarding study, internship, and job opportunities. 

They are also able to build their Personal and Professional Project (PPP) with the center, a process by which students take stock of the skills and experiences they have acquired in order to better prepare them for the job market. 

Over half of the students who graduate from the 'Programme Grande Ecole' in Paris land international careers. 

Working in the finance sector of a multinational company is Fanni’s current goal. Having enjoyed her time in Paris she feels she would prefer to find a role and remain in the city.  

Studying in a different campus is more than just a way to expand your career opportunities. By taking the leap to study in Paris from Budapest, Fanni has also discovered a new culture and shaped the journey she will embark on after graduation. 

“I love Paris,” she says.