Advantages of Studying at HEC Paris
Student Review by Nikita Roshchin, Master’s Student in Strategic Management and Consulting
Exchange Semester in France, Spring 2022
I participated in a one-semester exchange program at HEC Paris while pursuing my Master’s degree in Management. I had long understood that studying abroad provides a major advantage when entering the job market, and in general, greatly expands your worldview. That’s why I decided this experience was a must — and started preparing my application as soon as the call for submissions opened.
First and foremost, it’s essential to carefully choose the universities you want to apply to. Look at different rankings; talk to people who are currently studying or have studied at those institutions; check the competition rate from the previous year and realistically assess your chances.
Next, take the application documents and motivation letters seriously. You need to think through your motivations in detail and ideally ask friends or more experienced colleagues to review your letters. Their feedback will help you strengthen any weak points in your narrative about why you’re a good candidate. I’d also like to specifically mention the visa process — start as early as possible. Appointments at the visa center might be booked weeks in advance, and it’s best to arrive in France a bit early to get settled in.
Once you’ve been selected — congratulations! A major part of the journey is behind you. Now it’s time to prepare for the trip itself. Talking to students who’ve already been through this experience can be extremely helpful — they’ll have lots of tips about daily life, studies, transport, and more. I highly recommend reaching out to people via student chats or asking the International Exchange Center for contacts.
Another thing to keep in mind about France is the cost of housing. HEC Paris is not located in central Paris, so you’ll need to carefully consider where to live. You can either find a private dormitory or rent an apartment on your own or with someone. The university usually sends you a list of housing partners in their welcome email, but the final choice is yours. Think carefully about location — public transport in France is not as reliable as in cities like Moscow, so it’s better to avoid too many transfers or long commutes.
As for the academic experience itself — I can definitely say it’s worth it. First, you’ll gain firsthand insight into how European education works, and broaden your knowledge in the process. You’ll also significantly expand your professional network — after the exchange, you’ll have friends and contacts from all over the world, which is a major asset. A line on your CV indicating that you studied at a top international university will give you a significant advantage during screening stages for jobs, and in general, will open doors to a wide range of global companies. On top of that, living in another country contributes to your personal growth — a benefit that shouldn’t be underestimated. And that’s not all — there are plenty of other ways this experience will boost both your professional and personal development.
Another important point: in addition to the academic curriculum, there are plenty of extracurricular activities. These include meetings with entrepreneurs, representatives of large companies, masterclasses on how to land your dream job, and more. This is a great resource — make sure to take full advantage of it.
To sum up, if you’re considering whether or not to go abroad for a semester — and you have the resources to do so — I wholeheartedly recommend it. This will be a valuable asset on your professional journey.