Inside emlyon’s Summer School: Why Michael and Thanh Binh signed up
Michael Santos et Thanh Binh Tran
Summer School
When Michael Santos from the University of Calgary and Thanh Binh Tran from UQAM in Montreal decided to spend their summer at emlyon business school, they were looking for more than just courses. The emlyon Summer School offered them an immersive, high-impact experience combining rigorous classes, hands-on projects, company visits, and cross-cultural networking. For Michael and Thanh Binh, it quickly became an opportunity to challenge themselves, meet students from around the world, and gain skills they could immediately apply in their studies and future careers.
World-class education meets global perspectives
The emlyon Summer School brings together students from around the world to create a truly international learning environment. Michael's classroom included peers from Sweden, Norway, South Korea, and China. "When you are surrounded by other people from around the world learning about the same topic, it is such a phenomenal opportunity." he reflects.
Thanh Binh describes his classmates as "the best from their respective schools", students from the United States, Canada, Switzerland, China, and Norway, all bringing unique perspectives.
“Learning how students from China or South Korea approach school compared to my experience was one of the biggest learning moments for me” Michael explains.
Academic intensity with real-world impact
The emlyon Summer School offers a two-week, where students can choose from specialized modules in entrepreneurship & innovation, data & AI, healthtech & bio-innovation, gastronomy, and luxury business, combining intensive classes with practical projects to gain real-world skills.
Don't let the summer setting fool you, emlyon's academic standards are exceptional. Thanh Binh appreciated the program's intensity: "I love summer courses because the knowledge is condensed within two weeks and the standard that emlyon set was world class."
Courses are taught by passionate experts who combine academic depth with practical insight. Michael was particularly impressed by his luxury branding professor: “She really knew the depth of the material. What truly sets the program apart is the integration of company visits into the curriculum. These aren’t optional extras, they’re essential learning experiences.
For Michael, visiting a traditional silk factory was transformative: “Watching silk being created was astonishing. The loom was something I had never seen before.”
Thanh Binh deepened his understanding of Lyon’s historic textile industry: “I came in with zero knowledge about the silk industry. I came out knowing exactly which machines they used back in the Renaissance and seeing them in action.” Theory meets practice in a way that leaves a lasting impression.
Lyon: gateway to French culture and European discovery
While Paris often steals the spotlight, Lyon offers something unique: an authentic French experience with stunning beauty and rich history. Michael, who visited both cities, explains: "I love Paris. It's very pretty. But I haven't been to Paris the way that I was in Lyon. When you get to really explore the city, you kind of live there for a little bit. I feel like you get a bit more depth. Lyon has a lot to offer, and I think people are doing themselves a disservice not going to experience it."
For Thanh Binh, Lyon was "absolutely beautiful for travelers." The city's cultural treasures, the Old City, cathedral, and major museums, provided endless exploration opportunities. Lyon's location also serves as the perfect launch pad for European adventures. Michael spent weekends in Grenoble, surrounded by mountains including Mont Blanc, and Annecy, a charming lakeside town. "I meet these people that I've known for two, three days, and I'm making plans to travel with them," he recalls.
Building lifelong connections
Perhaps the most unexpected benefit is the friendships formed. Within hours of the icebreaker, students created a WhatsApp group coordinating everything from class schedules to impromptu barbecues. "You make a friend within the first hour. It's practically guaranteed," Thanh Binh observes.
The bonds extend well beyond the two-week session. Michael still keeps in touch with classmates, and has since encouraged several peers from his home university to apply.
A transformative experience
Both students emphasize that the Summer School's value transcends grades. "The emlyon Summer School experience isn’t defined by the grade you get, but by what your learn and live" Thanh Binh reflects. "The real value is in the memories and in learning how to live abroad."
For Michael, returning to school after a decade in the workforce made the experience even more meaningful: “You can learn a lot in the classroom. But being in real life, in another culture, that’s different. That’s powerful.”
From finance knowledge to leadership skills, the competencies gained are already being applied professionally. But perhaps the greatest transformation comes from learning to navigate new environments, collaborate across cultures, and expand your worldview.
Ready to write your own emlyon Summer School story?
Summer School Program
The emlyon Summer School is a two-week, English-taught program designed for undergraduate and graduate students seeking an immersive international experience. Students can choose from specialized modules in entrepreneurship & innovation, data & AI, healthtech & bio-innovation, gastronomy, and luxury business, combining intensive classes, hands-on projects, and company visits. Beyond academics, the program offers cross-cultural networking, exploration of Lyon, and practical skills that prepare students for global careers.