The beauty of the world lies in its diversity. However diverse, people share the same values in Russia, Colombia, Guinea, or Thailand. The only thing you have is time. Don't waste it. When I was making my decision which business school to choose for the MBA program, emlyon business school was on top of the list because it positioned itself as an international MBA and it has always had diverse cohorts with students from all over the world. But if in the cohort 2018-2019 there were around 40 students from around 20 different countries, for the cohort 2019-2020, there were already 64 students from 32 different countries. I have never met people from the majority of these countries before and I was expecting that this would be a unique experience. Little did I know before coming to Lyon what does it mean to be constantly exposed to such a diversity. No one will probably ever understand how hard it was in the very beginning of the school year to build connections with everyone: English was not a native language for most of us, and also, we had a great mix of backgrounds. Do you remember the very first time you tried to swim in the open sea? No ground, no boundaries, no more comfort zone. No one to help you (because you left everything on the shore called your home country). Scary? Yes. Breathtaking? You bet! That was it. But you don't allow yourself to drown - not only because you have a student loan, but also because you know that feeling of joy and self-esteem once you learn how to swim. And we have all learned it through the year. I now have friends from different continents and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this amazing cohort 2019-2020. They say it was the most diverse cohort in the history of the International MBA program at emlyon business school. What I've learned is that it doesn't matter where you come from, how you look like, and what accent do you have. What really matters is your attitude, motivation, and values. All of my 64 classmates have one important thing in common: in the middle of our career development, we all decided to take a break and move to another country for a one-year MBA program. Myself, I graduated from a university in Moscow in 2012 and had 7 years of experience in banking & finance, and I have completely forgotten what it means to be a student. Well, it's hard when you are 30 year old. It's even harder when the classes are in a foreign language. But everyone had the same struggle and somehow we did it! We were supporting and motivating each other. We were taking care of each other (especially during the COVID-19 lockdown period). We were a team - a team with a mind from South Africa, heart from Asia, and soul from the Latin America. This one year in Lyon passed incredibly fast, even though we have built memories equal to 3 years of life in a comfort zone. For me, it was a tough yet amazing journey that has shaped my personality a lot. Wherever I go after the program, I will always bring with me these memories and experience that I gained during the year. If there is one thing I would do differently (and this can be an advice for the future students), I would have pushed myself even harder from the very beginning of the program to have a chance to know all of my classmates better and learn more from them, and build even stronger connections between us. I've built relationships with many beautiful people from all over the world and this is the the greatest value that I've got from this IMBA. P.S. I'm a bit jealous for the future students who will only have to take this path. We have already had the time of our lives. Written by Anna MILOSTNOVA

The International MBA program at emlyon business school was officially awarded a Master’s grade by the French authorities in July.

Already recognized internationally by three global accreditation bodies (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA), emlyon business school’s International MBA (IMBA) now has a Masters grade from the CEFDG*, the relevant educational authority in France. Obtaining the Master’s grade means that graduates will benefit from a qualification that is fully recognized at both a French and European level. That recognition ensures a high level of quality and also provides reassurance for those in the program, given that the International MBA is mainly designed for international participants looking to develop their careers in the world. Aside from its absolute conformity with French and European standards, obtaining the Master’s grade also underlines the elite level of the academic side of the program. Its international DNA, the academic excellence of the School’s faculty, the career support given to participants, and the program’s openness to all members of society were particularly highlighted by the CEFDG. To find out more about the IMBA from emlyon business school, visit the program’s page on our website! *The Masters grade in France is assessed by the CEFDG (Evaluation Committee for Management Training and Qualifications), a national body under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, which then awards the grade.

Studying from home during coronavirus lockdown meant Abram Stewert completed his MBA while spending time with his family. He used his MBA to secure a senior consulting job at Deloitte

When International MBA students at emlyon business school switched to studying online after France’s coronavirus outbreak, Abram Stewart (pictured) used the opportunity to strengthen his network and land a new job. Before emlyon, he worked as a product manager for investment strategies at Charles Schwab Investment Management. He was secure in his role, but he wanted a business education that would give him wider career options. He’s now a senior consultant in the investment management division of Deloitte Luxembourg, and says he’s in a strong position to add more variety to his career. “Before leaving for business school, I thought to myself: When was the last time you took a risk?” he says. The risk paid off. With his MBA, Abram is already reaping the benefits––and the global pandemic didn’t get in the way of him realizing his career ambitions. Being an MBA student during the pandemic Abram enjoyed exploring France throughout his time at emlyon business School After working in the US, Abram welcomed the opportunity to move to France and enroll at a top business school to broaden his skill set and access the European job market. “For me, business school has given me the opportunity to embark on a journey to live and work abroad––an opportunity I hadn’t had at my previous role due to their focus on the domestic US market,” Abram says. emlyon appealed to him because of its internationally diverse cohort, the focus on entrepreneurship, and the flexibility of elective courses, Abram explains. The price point––with an MBA at emlyon costing a quarter of the average price of American MBA courses––added some incentive, too. “On a personal note, my wife is French and we had always wanted to return to Europe before our son was in school and we owned a house––things that would make moving more difficult in the future,” Abram explains. “So, with three suitcases (and the cat), we shipped out to Lyon!” With a young child at home, Abram has enjoyed the increased flexibility online learning has allowed thanks to coronavirus. He was able to fit his study around raising his child. “My professors understood these are unprecedented times and accommodations needed to be made,” he says. "Besides acquiring the ability to use a wide array of video conferencing software, the biggest skills I’ve carried with me into the workplace from this period is how to stay proactive and relevant.” Abram says that he now has an increased understanding and appreciation for the value cultural diversity adds to the workplace. Online networking with Deloitte At emlyon, Abram got the international and cultural experience he was after Being proactive is a key skill in consulting, and online networking helped him find his current job, he adds. “I don’t expect jobs to find me, so I diligently built my internal network to get visibility.” Abram reached out to contacts he’d made at an emlyon careers fair late last year, and stayed in contact with them throughout the pandemic. “All MBA candidates must understand that the job search is a long and involved processes,” he points out. “My position at Deloitte is the result of eight months of diligent networking.” It took time to find the right role for him. He admits to dozens of leads he chased as he finished off his MBA qualification. Although these ended in disappointment, his applications grew stronger each time. “I spoke with Deloitte at the first banking and consulting mini job fair in October 2019 at emlyon. There, I made a personal connection with one of the reps over their favorite pizza in NYC.” This innocuous meeting led to them staying in contact, giving Abram insight into the inner workings of the organization––such as nuances in office environments, and potential areas for growth in the company, he explains. Landing a post-MBA job Over the ensuing months, Abram signed up for multiple mock interviews with different consulting companies, and made sure to attend roundtables and presentations (delivered in both English and French) which were hosted through emlyon. “This preparation allowed me to speak knowledgeably and confidently about the industry during the formal interview process,” he says. His contact at Deloitte was happy to write a referral for him, and that ultimately led to Abram clinching the role in time for his graduation from emlyon. “emlyon was instrumental in both having a close partnership with Deloitte for students like me to gain visibility with them and for providing informal seminars which give us first hand perspectives from industry practitioners,” he says. Article written by Business Because

Amandeep Kaur needed to diversify and enhance her skillset to propel her business career forward. The International MBA at emlyon business school was always on the cards.

Amandeep Kaur has a degree in engineering with a major in biotechnology. But she’s always possessed an underlying interest in strategy, marketing, and management. She previously accrued over six and a half years of work experience at Nestlé India Ltd. She was always learning on the job—plotting performance forecasts, managing secondary sales teams, or ensuring high standards of hygiene across products—but felt a desire to enhance her practical knowledge to push her career forward. Her experience also centered around the Asian market, and she was after an international experience to broaden her world view of business. That’s where emlyon business School's International MBA comes in. Why MBA: emlyon business school Amandeep was in the market for a business school that would drop her into an international environment from which she could learn from a diverse cohort of peers. She landed on emlyon business school—the class of 2020 consisted of 64 students and 32 nationalities. The international environment Amandeep was after is ripe at emlyon business school. Students in the MBA classroom come from Australia, Thailand, Poland, Russia, Portugal, and Ghana. There are also students from Korea, Lebanon, Morocco, India, Brazil, and Italy. The school’s inclination to entrepreurship and business creativity also appealed. Entrepreneurial thinking is a key aspect of the MBA program. emlyon business school’s startup incubator trains students to build a business plan, and connects them to users, clients, and investors. Amandeep also says that a big pull factor was the variety of the MBA education. Core courses in Marketing and Finance are complemented by more contextual modules like Disruptive Futures and Design. It wasn’t all theory either. Amandeep took part in a six-month professional consulting project which included visits to the World Trade Organization and Red Cross. The project gave her clearer insight into international businesses, as well as providing context for what she was learning in the classroom. “The pragmatic approach of inviting experts from various industries to co-deliver the courses alongside emlyon’s experienced academics really helped me gain a really comprehensive understanding of business practices in Europe,” she says. Thanks to the blend of traditional and future-focused, theoretical and practical learning, Amandeep now feels confident visualizing business organizations from a macro as well as micro level. emlyon business school: MBA Career Development From the first week of the MBA, Amandeep says the careers department was made readily available to anyone with questions or concerns. Students can also drop in if they want to chat about their future. Amandeep sat down with the careers team and drew up a timeline planning her future projects on the program. She says it helped her organize her time to her best advantage. She enjoyed the collaborative career coaching sessions held by the department, too, which ranged from mock interview sessions, career counselling, and network building. “They put me in touch with alumni as well,” Amandeep adds. “I had several opportunities to meet with them and get advice, which really benefitted me when developing my professional skills and working on my school projects.” Amandeep’s career after emlyon business school And all of that has paid off. Amandeep is now the European strategic revenue management officer for global pet care brand, Royal Canin—the company’s parent organization is MARS Inc. Through the school's careers' fairs, networking opportunities, and connections to international companies, Amandeep was able to build a network of her own, and ultimately find the right job for her. The MBA resulted in a step up in Amandeep’s career in terms of seniority. She’s responsible for shaping trading terms across 28 countries in Europe on behalf of the company. Every single day she says she faces new challenges and has opportunities to meet with a diverse group of people. “I really appreciate the cultural versatility you see within businesses in Europe,” Amandeep concludes. “emlyon definitely nurtured that appreciation; I didn’t just learn in the classroom, I learned from my environment and the people I met during my year at the school". “Throughout the whole process, the thing I loved most was the feeling of mutuality and inclusion that was extended by every single member of faculty, peers, and alumni at emlyon.” Written by Business Because

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Bangkok in 2014, Naowarat Saenyakorn worked as a sales engineer in business development in Thailand. In 2019 she decided to join the International MBA at emlyon business school to develop her potential as a manager and to gain international experience. Before completing the program and during the COVID-19 crisis in France, she was hired as a Business Development Manager at SAIREM, a global leader in industrial microwave and radio frequency applications in Lyon, France. How did the program help her achieve her professional goals? “The classes I had in different fields, gave me a taste of “roles and responsibilities which” I had never tried before for example project management, financial forecast and analysis and more. This gave me an idea of what would and what wouldn't suit me as a career option in future. Additionally, learning from others' experiences, be it from professors or alumni or classmates, helped me decide which sector and location I would like to grow in terms of career perspective. During my preparations and job search, I had several mock interviews and career sessions including multiple group discussions. This helped me in gaining valuable insights and practice my communication skills extensively which boosted my confidence and helped me during my interview.” And Naowarat’s advice for those considering doing an MBA during this uncertain time? “MBA is indeed, a big step to take in terms of career growth. For me, it was an experience of a lifetime. Do not just consider this as a degree leading to new opportunities but also a chance to learn from others' careers stories and experiences from all over the world. Without the MBA, I would have been unable to have experienced them all by myself. Most of all, the course facilitated my personal growth exponentially by giving me an opportunity of working as an autonomous person as well in a team with colleagues from completely different career backgrounds and culture.”

emlyon business school has adapted its MBA program to deliver experiential learning at a distance since COVID-19.

To say coronavirus has changed the world would be an understatement. We’ve switched offices for living rooms, pub visits for Zoom calls, and faced the challenge of adapting fast to the new normal. Business schools have not escaped the need to swiftly pivot. Vital aspects of the MBA experience like internships, speaker events and networking must suddenly be conducted in a virtual environment. It’s a shift that emlyon business school has made remarkably well, pivoting the program to focus more on a new type of learning which embraces the pandemic restrictions–and challenging students to adapt–whilst keeping the focus on the full-bodied MBA experience. BusinessBecause spoke to emlyon business school's MBA admissions and academic team to hear how they've adapted to COVID-19, and how learning fresh and relevant skills is becoming increasingly important. Innovative thinking Professor Rhoda Davidson (pictured right), program director at emlyon, emphasizes that an MBA is a valuable option in the new, more digitally focused world. Remote learning is undoubtedly an unpredictable challenge. In response, emlyon altered their courses to include new ways to work on real business problems in a virtual world. Company executives were brought in – via online platforms – to give students the opportunity to discuss business challenges and pitch their own solutions, digitally. From offering logistics recommendations to Walmart to the considering new technology with Euronews, emlyon MBA students have been able to adapt to new innovative ways of learning– echoing the school’s ‘early makers’ culture. emlyon students are encouraged to be proactive and agile, and the pandemic offered the opportunity to push these practices into a new focus. Throughout their time in the program MBA students are encouraged to apply and adapt what they learn to realistic and current situations. “The pandemic has given us a preview of the future of work. Remote projects and teamwork will become the norm. Companies will operate more like the gig economy than in rigid hierarchies,” she says, “and this crisis gives our students the chance to practice these skills.” emlyon has homed in on ‘"experiential learning"—a way of adapting quickly and sourcing new opportunities—as a method of succeeding in the current situation, which has been reflected in students’ abilities to find jobs. Rhoda has even seen an increase in the number of graduates applying for jobs in highly digital businesses and e-commerce. “We gave students a taste of these new ways of working on real business issues and we found that people are much more at ease being interviewed for jobs in the new economy,” she adds, “and much more successful at securing these jobs as well.” How Emlyon adapted emlyon also added to the program in order to assist MBAs in combatting the effects of COVID-19 on businesses. Stephanie Ousaci (pictured left), MBA development manager at emlyon, details the steps taken when the pandemic took hold. “We adapted the MBA program to be able to convey the current situation and make sure our participants could work through the crisis both professionally and personally,” she explains, “this included a series of webinars covering topics such as crisis and risk management, remote working, stress management and well-being. Personal coaching was offered on request.” Not only did emlyon change the program content, but they also moved the academic year to start in January. “Hopefully, the availability of vaccines in Spring 2021 will reduce the students’ exposure to the virus,” said Stephanie. Rhoda emphasizes that while some students were able to find employment in summer 2020, others have found it is taking a little longer as the job market begins to open up again. In response, emylon extended their academic and careers services up to the end of the calendar year, “to make sure they were feeling positive and confident in their abilities in the situation.” “There are plenty of companies still hiring. The pandemic has accelerated underlying industry trends, such as digital transformation.” emlyon was also able to hold more high-profile speaker events with business leaders explaining how they are adapting during the pandemic. Lessons for future MBAs To make it through a global pandemic is an achievement. Future leaders can learn a lot from how business schools adapted during this time. “Living through a global crisis like this can create a lot of uncertainties and anxiety," Lisa Homer-Rulliere (pictured right), recruitment manager at emlyon, adds. “We are living in a world where everything is changing very quickly, and in this context, it is becoming very hard to plan anything.” But the current situation has also spurred business school candidates to think twice about career paths. “What do I really want to do for the rest of my life? What are my dreams? How can I improve my chances of having my dream job?” These are the questions Lisa has seen prospective students begin to consider. “Doing an MBA is also the opportunity to take a break to focus on what really matters,” she adds, “and to be more attractive in a very complicated job market.” By thinking outside of the box and being open to fresh ideas, new ways of working and uncertain possibilities, students can equip themselves with the skills needed to not only survive but succeed in our new world. Written by BusinessBecause

Need a new challenge to boost your career? From its digital startups to its cultural and gastronomic heritage, the interactive infographic below shows how Lyon represents France at its best (and without Paris's prices).

Studying at emlyon business school is a gateway – to a dynamic working life and Europe-wide opportunities. From corporate social responsibility (CSR) to artificial intelligence (AI), the school is focusing on the future – scroll over the infographic to explore how studying in Lyon could shape yours. Find out more about doing an MBA – in English – at emlyon business school – or to find the program that matches your ambitions click here. written by the local

Jacob Westrum was most recently a $35M technology sales and operations leader with 3+ years of leadership experience with Verizon Business where he was responsible as a Senior Manager in Business Sales for driving sales, operations, employee development, and marketing strategic solutions. In total, Jacob has more than 11 years of sales, 6 years of technology, and 3 years of leadership experience. His focus is on building cohesive and productive teams around vision. Jacob moved from the United States to Lyon with his wife and baby daughter to join the International MBA at emlyon business school and shares some of his highlights from the program so far.

Why emlyon business school? When looking for MBA programs, I wasn’t just looking for an experience or for credentials; instead, I was looking for entrepreneurial thinking and real world application. Coming from the United States, I found emlyon business school’s philosophy rooted in practical application and agile ways of thinking. emlyon gives you what you would expect from a set of core coursework perspective. However, what you get above and beyond are new ways of thinking and breaking down of barriers in your mind to explore new possibilities for business solutions. emlyon’s MBA program provides a space to dive headfirst into these new ways of thinking within a small cohort of over 30 nationalities all with a unified heart for entrepreneurship and client centered delivery. Design Thinking Most recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a small team centered around ‘Design Thinking’. In this course, we had the opportunity not just learn how to build solutions from scratch; but also, we immediately applied and presented our solution design to a live business client. Firstly, we learned that no one care about your product; unless, it makes them ‘awesome’. Too often design or the structure of an organization is focused more on the product first and the client second. One can’t know what ‘awesome’ looks like if you aren’t spending 2/3rds of your time focusing on and listening to your clients persona, needs, wants, and dreams. Therefore, lesson 1 is to put your clients’ values on a pedestal practically and structurally in your thinking for new insight. Second, you can’t lead to client centric solution and delivery without working as team filled with empathy. It’s obvious that having empathy allows you to really serve your end target or client with their needs. What isn’t always obvious is how this applies to working within internal teams. For managing and/or serving within a team: You can’t design solutions without empathy. You can’t effectively listen and lead without empathy. You can’t fail and productively get up together without empathy. You can’t put yourself in their shoes without empathy. Lesson 2, team empathy and leadership leads to impactful and enjoyable teams that deliver the promise of value to clients. Launching a Future emlyon’s promise is to give you the opportunity to innovate your thinking through hard work and with the latest agile tools to launch your future. The first thing you get when you consider emlyon is loads of support. You have things to consider coming from abroad. emlyon carefully provides a robust set of solutions from managing administrative concerns to the tools needed for your career. In class, you can expect an innovative approach filled with hard work. This hard work is not difficult menial tasks for the sake of checking a box. Rather, it is driven by application in the real world. Coming here in midst of a pandemic was not an easy decision. However after moving my family here, I can tell you that emlyon is more than worth it. For more information about the program download the brochure.

When an educational decision that will define your future involves a complete change of continent, approaching challenges as positive opportunities can be key to the success of such a personal and professional undertaking. Echo Zhang recounts her journey from Montreal to emlyon business school and onto the burgeoning career she has established since graduation.

You took a major leap from your home and working life in North America to further studies and the next stage in your career in Europe. What motivated this switch and Lyon in particular? My case was made easier in that I moved over with my French husband, whose family is from the Lyon area. The European adventure was therefore not so intimidating for me. As for the choice of emlyon business school, once I had explored all the options the region had to offer it became quickly obvious to me which school had the strongest reputation, backed up by consistently good rankings results. I was also a recipient of the school’s Excellence Scholarship, which is awarded to applicants with a 700+ GMAT score. Naturally, I was pleased to get this financial help, but it also reflected the quality of applicants and therefore the program itself. Once you had homed in on Lyon and emlyon business school, what swayed you towards the International MBA? Before moving to Lyon, I already had a good 8-9 years of professional experience, notably at Sterling Talent Solutions in Montreal. My responsibilities ranged from developing and managing a national compliance program and devising multi-channel marketing materials through to providing consulting services and strategic planning. However, I wanted to broaden my knowledge and experience further still, but over a relatively short, intensive period. The International MBA ticked all the boxes, providing in the space of one year a comprehensive understanding of all facets of a company. Which aspects of the program struck you as the most beneficial? Both then and still today, the chance to hone presentational skills and practice them in front of partner companies of the school was an invaluable experience. We learned to grasp the materials required to pitch and present convincingly and got the chance to test them in realistic conditions before corporate audiences. Even better, we were exposed to a wide range of companies from various industries and gained deeper insight into the kind of challenges and issues we would face in our careers via a host of truly insightful case studies. I haven’t stopped learning from this since and continue to apply what I learned back then in my career today. How did you make the transition from student and graduate of emlyon business school to the professional you have become since? In what ways did the school assist you? Whilst still a student I received support and advice from a coach within the emlyon career center, notably on how best to exploit tools and platforms such as Linkedin to improve visibility not just of my profile but also my skills, competencies and experience. Sure enough, it was via Linkedin that I established contact with my current employer Inova and via an emlyon alumnus, who in his capacity as Head of Customer Success decided to create a brand-new position for me - Customer Success Manager in charge of the biotech business unit, here in Lyon. My career with Inova evolved since I joined - I moved up to Head of Customer Success Biotech, and recently I made the move to become a Senior Business Analyst in our strategy team. Doing an MBA has proven crucial as I am called upon to be involved in many aspects of the company, including sales, project management, customer success, and product management within a company embracing pharmaceuticals and software solutions. Given your international student profile and the big step you took, what were the defining challenges and opportunities of your time at emlyon business school? With the family roots I already had in the area via my husband, getting set up was relatively smooth. That said, any international student must brace themselves for the bureaucracy and red tape in France!! Otherwise, for me, nothing but positives. Europe and France offer great proximity and diversity of other countries and cultures. In terms of Lyon specifically, everything is close at hand in the center and if you live more towards the suburbs, nature is on your doorstep. Within a few hours’ drive, you can easily go to the Alps, or visit beautiful beaches in the South of France. I can’t say I miss the climate of Montreal much either, plus there is not just a feeling but also genuine examples of how Europe and European countries such as France are steeped in history. I haven’t looked back since.