Life in Rouen

Life in Rouen

September 23, 2014
Richmond MBA student spends semester in France attending NEOMA Business School

For the fall 2014 semester I have been studying abroad in Rouen, France at NEOMA Business School. Even after just a couple weeks I know I made the right choice to come here and broaden my MBA experience. I wanted to study abroad originally in order to meet a diverse group of students, experience a new culture and way of life and see my education and work from a new perspective.

NEOMA has incredible talent in students and professors from all over the world. During my first few days I took a shuttle bus to shop with students from Indonesia, India, China, and Canada, went to a school-sponsored party with people from Ireland, Scotland and Sweden, and went on a trip to Paris with students from Brazil, Hungary, Chile and many more countries. My professors come from all over, including France, Spain and even Uganda.

One aspect of NEOMA that I really enjoy is that there is a heavy focus at the school on group work and class discussion. This works well since we come from so many backgrounds and have varying levels of work and school experience. Everyone brings something unique to the table. I think that my way of thinking will continue to be challenged and broadened throughout the semester.

For my first few weeks, my goals have been all about acclimating to the way of life, improving my French, meeting as many new people as possible and traveling around Rouen and the nearby areas. As the semester progresses, I hope to use my new relationships to initiate discussion on politics, business and future careers with my friends in order to learn more about them and their cultures and perspectives.

The French way of life has been more of a culture shock than I expected it to be. My friends in The Richmond MBA know me as a high-strung student, and here that characteristic is shockingly American. Stores close early and people stay out late chatting with friends. Professors and students are more laid back about assignments and class than I am used to. For example, I started working on a group project for a class the day it was assigned. I emailed my group with notes and ideas the next day, and I didn’t hear back for four days! I’m learning to slow down, take my time in life and work and really enjoy my relationships with new friends and colleagues.

I’m not quite sure what to expect from my next few months. Before classes kicked into high gear I was able to look down from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, smell the roses at Monet’s garden in Giverny, fly a kite on the beaches of Dieppe and explore Oktoberfest in Munich. Things may slow down, but I hope to take advantage of all of the learning opportunities and cultural experiences that France and Europe have to offer and bring them back with me to Richmond. Being able to take advantage of a study abroad opportunity at NEOMA has added incredible value to both my Richmond MBA experience and cultural awareness. 

Photo: Kennedy at Monet Gardens in Giverny, France.