Emlyon Business School (France)
Chikara Maki
Exchange Programs
August 2023 - December 2023
Tell us the reason why you decided to join the program.
In front of my apartment in Lyon
(Place des Capucins)
(Place des Capucins)
- To conduct my research activities on wine tourism
- To strengthen global mindset and communication skills
- To strengthen global mindset and communication skills
Sample of courses you took
Managing International Teams
Lifestyles and Markets
Lifestyles and Markets
Tell us about the classes and research during your study abroad.
Group projects are heavily weighted in the lectures, and the final evaluation requires a presentation and group output. 1 hour and 30 minutes x 2 sessions is the basic structure of the day, with the first half of the day consisting of lectures and the second half of the day consisting of group work. Outside of class, students are required to work on individual assignments and group projects.
Tell us about the school’s environment (Facilities, faculty and staff members, students, etc.).
Until this academic year, EmLyon Business School was located in the suburbs (moving to an urban area in the next academic year).
In addition to classrooms, cafeteria, and library, there are numerous workspaces and training rooms, so there is nothing inconvenient in the graduate school. Besides, since there are many international students, communication with both students and faculty is very easy.
In addition to classrooms, cafeteria, and library, there are numerous workspaces and training rooms, so there is nothing inconvenient in the graduate school. Besides, since there are many international students, communication with both students and faculty is very easy.
Did you participate in any activities besides lectures and research?
- I conducted interviews and fieldwork through visits to wineries in the Lyon area (Burgundy and Rhone) for the research on wine tourism.
- I visited European headquarters of my company and participated in a project.
- I visited European headquarters of my company and participated in a project.
Reflect your study abroad and tell us about your thoughts.
Although my study in France was limited to four months, it was a very stimulating experience.
Unlike a whole-year stay, the length of stay and the number of classes you can take are limited, so I feel that having a sharp awareness of the issues will lead to a more meaningful study abroad experience.
In addition, I realized that I should make a thorough effort to strengthen my language skills before starting study abroad because I would inevitably have a hard time in the classes due to my language ability.
Unlike a whole-year stay, the length of stay and the number of classes you can take are limited, so I feel that having a sharp awareness of the issues will lead to a more meaningful study abroad experience.
In addition, I realized that I should make a thorough effort to strengthen my language skills before starting study abroad because I would inevitably have a hard time in the classes due to my language ability.
What kind of impact or changes has your experience of studying abroad given you? (Finding a job, future vision, point of view, etc.)
Although I will need to return to the company from which I was dispatched to Kyoto University, the study abroad experience has led me to consider a more globally oriented career. Especially in European countries, you are connected to all different countries by land, and we experience diversity not only on campus but also in our daily lives, creating an environment in which our careers inevitably become more globally oriented. As I felt more stronger that the approach was rather agile than planned during my study abroad, I would like to give back to the company after returning there while keeping an eye on my own global career.
Please give some advice and message to the prospective students who are thinking of studying abroad.
I feel that it is very important for you to be exposed to an "away" environment while you are still a student. As I was exposed to a different standard of value and a competitive environment than the one I had been used to, I experienced setbacks myself, but it was an experience with more returns than that.