“Learning doesn't have to be academic, what makes a person rich are experiences,” says Shivakshi Malik, student of FORE School of Management, New Delhi. She speaks with easy confidence and maturity beyond her age. What prompts these insightful words? She is influenced and inspired by her student exchange programme at ESC Rennes School of Business, France. Calling it a once–in-a-lifetime experience, she describes how the programme has helped her quickly grow and wise up to the global scenario in Finance.
A commerce graduate and candidate of CFA Institute USA, Shivakshi aspires for a global career in Finance. In fact, that’s the reason she chose to pursue PGDM at FORE School of Management. So it wasn’t surprising that she chose International Corporate Finance during her trimester in France. “It had interesting subjects like Mergers and Acquisitions, Financial Analysis, etc. This international exposure made me aware of differences in Financial practices across India and other countries. Became more convinced about my career choice.”
Being an international exchange programme, the classroom comprised local and foreign students. According to Shivakshi, faculty members taught in English to keep things relatable to all students and brought in global perspectives. “The courses were designed to ensure that no international student struggled with studying or scoring. The teaching was mostly practical and case based, with focus on global structure rather than just French. Made it easier to keep up with the class.”
Alongside superior learning experience, the university offers superb infrastructure. Shivakshi says the amenities were certainly top class and made with a purpose. For instance, classrooms were designed to help students get together and to foster teamwork – crucial learning for future managers. “There were three buildings on campus and each of them offered the best possible facilities. From the library with resources from all over the world to the fully equipped gym, the campus had it all for students.”
Looking back on the trimester experience, Shivakshi believes that it has acted as a catalyst in her personal and professional growth. While she learned diverse techniques and methodologies that will help her professionally, she also gained from the experience of meeting people from around the world. On an emotional note, she says, “My future career prospects have definitely been enhanced by this experience. But the exposure on personal level is immeasurable. We felt welcome from Day 1 on campus and, as the course progressed, it became a comforting home in a foreign country.”
