INTERVIEW - A Wonderful Opportunity to Study at Riverside for My Final-Year of my Master’s degree.

Studying In the USA is Possible with the ESC Clermont Business School

It was after her first expatriate experience in Scotland, during her third year of her bachelor’s degree in international management, that Amandine developed a taste for travelling and started to dream about a new experience abroad ! So, in her final year of the Master Grande Ecole program, she seized an incredible opportunity: to go to the United States for a full year and study at the University of California at Riverside.

We asked her a few questions to find out a little more about her approach and her day-to-day life at Riverside.

AMANDINE, WAS GOING ABROAD AN OBVIOUS CHOICE FOR YOU?

During my studies, I heard a lot of testimonials from students who had gone abroad to complete part of their course, and they all said what a great opportunity it was to do so, both personally and academically.

When I was younger, I didn’t have the opportunity to travel very much, but it was something that attracted me enormously and my course at ESC Clermont BS opened doors for me!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE UNITED STATES, AND RIVERSIDE IN PARTICULAR?

For my third year of the Bachelor in International Management at ESC Clermont BS, I did a double degree in Scotland and I loved it! After that first positive experience, I knew straight away that I wanted to study abroad for my Masters. I had this urge to think bigger, to go further afield!

I’ve always been attracted to the United States… and the University of California at Riverside, a partner of ESC Clermont Business School, particularly caught my attention because of its international reputation but also because it offers a specialization in Digital Marketing.

WAS IT YOUR DREAM TO STUDY IN THE USA? 

Yes, it was definitely my dream to study there ! I wanted to discover life on an American campus, as you see it in the movies, but also to benefit from the quality of American higher education, which is known to be one of the best in the world.

DID YOU GET ANY HELP TO FINANCE YOUR DEPARTURE? DID THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT HELP YOU BEFORE YOU LEAVE?

To help finance this project, I was able to take advantage of the Student Mobility Grant from the Rhône-Alpes-Auvergne Regional Council and the MGE3 Double-Diploma Grant offered by the Groupe ESC Foundation.

ESC Clermont BS’s International Relations Department was with me from A to Z, helping me with the administrative formalities, advising me on how to obtain a VISA and helping me with insurance. The team is very responsive and always available if we have any questions or problems on the ground, which is very reassuring!

HOW DID YOUR INTEGRATION GO?

Arriving on a large campus can be intimidating, but UCR staff are always available to help. Even though I didn’t know anyone at first, it was easy to settle in!

What I thought was great was that the first week’s program included discussion groups led by professors to make it easier for international students to integrate. What’s more, every year the university welcomes students from all over the world… We all have the same experience, which makes it easier to meet people and make friends quickly.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALISATION?

In a society where the use of digital technology is omnipresent and needs to be mastered, I opted for UCR’s Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing. The program gave me a global view of marketing and will open doors to the jobs of the future.

WHAT DIFFERENCES DO YOU NOTICE BETWEEN TEACHING PRACTICES IN FRANCE AND IN THE USA?

The relationship with the teachers and lecturers is very different from the one we have with those at ESC Clermont BS. At ESC Clermont BS, the teachers are approachable and there is mutual respect, but they are still polite. The Americans, on the other hand, have a reputation for being very ‘friendly’, so we develop a more ‘friendly’ relationship with them. Relationships are different!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF LIFE HERE?

California is a great place to live. Between the deserts, mountains and ocean, there’s always a nice place to visit! As a student, the pace is pleasant because my timetable allows me to do activities before or after classes, such as beach volleyball, hiking or a bit of swimming.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE COST OF LIVING?

The cost of living here is much higher than in France. California is one of the most expensive states in which to live, so it’s not something to be taken lightly before considering leaving.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER ESC CLERMONT BS STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA?

I’d say go for it! From an academic point of view, UCR offers a wide range of specializations in partnership with ESC Clermont BS, which means that everyone can find the right courses to help them achieve their career goals.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS’ TIME?

I’ve just finished my placement as a Digital Marketing Assistant in a digital marketing agency (Sprinkles Media). This placement has enabled me to complete my year here at UCR and to put into practice the knowledge I acquired during my specialization.

This experience confirms my desire to continue in the field of digital marketing. I can see myself working for a multinational as well as a start-up, perhaps in the film or entertainment industry. One thing’s for sure, I’m not stopping at anything!