"It Was the Most Memorable Experience of My Life": Reflections on Mobility at IPAG Business School in Paris

In the fall semester of 2024, Alyona Golubovich, a third-year student in the Business Informatics program, participated in a GSB academic mobility program at IPAG Business School in Paris. In her review, she shares her impressions of the city, her studies, new friendships, and exciting travels. She also talks about how this experience helped her become more confident and independent. Discover what awaits students who decide to study abroad and learn valuable tips to make the preparation process smoother.

Hi everyone! My name is Alyona, and I’m a third-year student in the Business Informatics program. In this review, I’ll share my experience of studying abroad through the mobility program offered by the Graduate School of Business (GSB) in Paris at the IPAG Business School during the fall semester of 2024.

Why I Chose IPAG in Paris

I knew for certain that I wanted to go to Europe for my mobility program. Several countries fit this criterion, but I chose France because I felt it was the most interesting in terms of culture and history compared to the other available options. My host university had two campuses: one in Nice and one in Paris. I decided to go to Paris because it’s a larger city with more activities and landmarks to explore.

Preparing for Departure

Honestly, preparing for the trip wasn’t the most pleasant part due to the paperwork. It wasn’t difficult to collect the documents, but figuring out exactly what was needed was challenging since the information online often varied. It helped a lot that I contacted a student who had obtained a French visa the previous semester. She sent me the list of documents she used, and I followed it as a guide. Additionally, I had to spend extra time coordinating my Individual Study Plan since the courses I needed didn’t match perfectly with those offered at the host university. Thankfully, my academic supervisor and course coordinator were very efficient, so the approval process went smoothly.

First Impressions of Paris

My first impressions of Paris exceeded all my expectations. You immediately feel the city’s unique atmosphere. I was lucky to arrive just after the Olympics, so the city was exceptionally clean — locals told me it’s usually not that way. Adapting to life in Paris was easy for me; within two weeks, I got used to communicating solely in English and became more confident doing so. Adapting to Parisian culture and traditions was enjoyable, as they are not very different from ours but are enhanced by leisurely strolls in the sun, cozy evenings on café terraces with friends, friendly smiles, and delicious pastries. At least, that’s the impression I have of Parisian life.

However, I did face some initial challenges: for instance, getting a SIM card was difficult because many people in France don’t speak English well, making communication tricky.

Studying at IPAG

At IPAG, I took two courses: Financial Management and Business Strategy. There were no separate lectures and seminars — we had 2-3 classes per week, each lasting two hours. The teaching approach was different, with a strong emphasis on group projects. Essentially, you’re assigned to a group for the first task, and you work with the same group throughout the semester. This close collaboration helps you build strong relationships with your teammates.

The courses I chose weren’t particularly useful for me, as the topics overlapped with those I had already studied at HSE University. However, it was interesting to hear the material in English and presented in a different format.

Travels and Experiences

During my studies, I had plenty of opportunities to travel. I visited four major cities in France, as well as Portugal and Spain. To celebrate the end of the semester, I went on a trip through Italy. I balanced my travels with work, but for students who are only studying, it’s very easy to combine traveling and studying at IPAG. My most vivid memories are connected to these trips because I was thrilled by the fact that you could fly to Milan or Barcelona for the same price as a taxi ride in Moscow. Just kidding! Honestly, I was amazed by how much I saw, heard, and experienced during my mobility program, both in Paris and beyond.

Skills and Lessons Learned

During my time abroad, I faced numerous challenges that made me stronger. Rather than calling them difficulties, I’d say they were life lessons. I went through a lot: from being stranded at a gas station at 2 a.m. 10 hours away from home after my bus drove off with my bag (which contained my passport and laptop) to accidentally buying tickets for the wrong date and discovering it only at the train station. I also forgot to validate my visa and nearly couldn’t return to Paris mid-semester. These were some of the most unusual situations I encountered, but there were countless smaller ones as well.

I’m incredibly grateful for this experience because it made me braver, wiser, and more confident in my ability to find solutions to any problem on my own.

Conclusion

To sum up, I’d describe my study-abroad experience in just a few words: the brightest, most exciting, and most emotionally fulfilling time of my life. If you have any doubts about going on a mobility program, set them aside because I can’t imagine anyone regretting such an opportunity.

For those who are already planning their trip, I highly recommend reaching out to previous mobility students to get a checklist of documents needed for the visa — it’ll save you a lot of hassle. Studying abroad is not just an academic experience but also a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, make friends from around the world, and learn how to tackle challenges in unfamiliar conditions.

This experience has made me more confident and independent, and I’m sure it will be invaluable in the future. If you have the chance to participate in a mobility program, don’t miss it — it’s truly a unique opportunity that can change your life for the better.

Thank you for reading! I hope my review is helpful to you.