Students share SKEMA China experiences

Published on February 24, 2023

Two SKEMA students and an alumna talk about their experiences in Suzhou, in terms of opportunities, learning Chinese, and a complete change of scenery.

Bingbing Tang, an MSc International Business student, Louis-Edouard Vasseur, an student in the M2 year, and Shannon Levy, an MSc IMBD graduate, have one thing in common: they spent part of their courses at SKEMA Business School's Suzhou campus. With a complete change of scenery for some and impeccable academic support for others, they came back full of enthusiasm!

Can you tell us about your academic experience, the supervision side, and professional integration in Suzhou?

Bingbing Tang: I found that the classes were highly interactive and the professors were always ready to listen. The faculty and the campus staff helped us to achieve our academic and personal goals. I was impressed by the role of Talent & Careers, which invited business professionals every month to advise us on our careers. We could also make the most of these times to work on our CVs and job interviews.

In addition, Talent & Careers gave us the opportunity to visit luxury brands present in China, such as Hermès and Dior, and took us to professional forums. The city is also home to many multinational companies, which means that students get a lot of networking opportunities and the chance to gain hands-on experience through internships.

Louis-Edouard Vasseur: I was an ESDHEM student when I decided to spend a semester in Suzhou. On the academic side, I really liked the English classes and especially the Chinese lessons, which helped me make rapid progress. We had six hours a week of these, so we could really get a good grasp of the language! I also appreciated the classes where the teachers explained the specific features of the Chinese market to us, and how to set about creating a company in China.

How is Suzhou as a city for student?

Shannon Levy: I was also an ESDHEM student when I moved to Suzhou. I spent three years at the Suzhou campus and stayed in China during the whole pandemic period. In those three years, a lot changed in Suzhou. It's a gorgeous city, and very lively and ideal for students. It has a modern part with skyscrapers, and another more traditional part with charming little streets. What impressed me in China was that everything is possible, development is fast and everyone works very hard to achieve their goals.

Bingbing Tang: Besides the professional advantages, Suzhou offers a rich cultural heritage, with its famous classical gardens, silk factories and historical sites that attract millions of visitors each year. This dynamic city gives students a chance to immerse themselves in the Chinese culture and learn about its history, traditions, and values. Living in Suzhou offers students the opportunity to see a different way of life and broaden their outlook – a valuable experience in itself.

How would you describe your experience as a student in Suzhou?

Louis-Edouard Vasseur: I was quite overwhelmed by the difference to begin with; I didn't know Asia at all when I went to Suzhou during my second year at ESDHEM. But between August to December 2018, I loved being in an international context that was completely different from what I knew in France. This multi-campus experience was an amazing chance to get to know other students and build lasting friendships. Through my experience in associations, I was also able to join the Sports Office on campus as the person in charge of the communication unit.

Shannon: I was delighted to be part of two associations and to meet and talk with a lot of Chinese students. In particular, I took part in the launch of the SKEMA Ventures Club and helped with The Shop, an association that sells goodies to students.

What are they doing these days?

Shannon Levy now works in Amsterdam as a business analyst for Air France KLM, in an international professional context.

Louis-Edouard Vasseur is completing his M2 MSc IMDB semester at the Belo Horizonte campus, and looking for a final-year internship in digital marketing.

Bingbing Tang is currently continuing her studies at the Suzhou campus.