Hippolyte Pin, a fourth-year student in the ESSEC Global Bachelor’s of Business Administration (BBA) program, began his journey at the Asia-Pacific campus in Singapore after graduating from Lycée Notre Dame in Dijon, France. Now, four years later, he’s completing his studies in the same dynamic city.

During his time at ESSEC, Hippolyte gained international experience through internships at Taleo Consulting and Trading Central in France, as well as a double degree at Keio University in Japan. On campus, he was also actively involved in its student life, serving as a Class Representative and fully embracing Singapore’s multicultural environment.

Discover how Hippolyte maximized the opportunities offered by ESSEC Asia-Pacific as he reflects on the global education, leadership roles, and personal growth that have shaped his unforgettable experience in the region.

What inspired you to choose ESSEC, and what made the Asia-Pacific campus in Singapore stand out to you?

To be honest, when I was first thinking about university, I didn’t even know ESSEC had a undergraduate program. But once I found out more, I didn’t hesitate at all. The program checked all the boxes for me: strong academics, an international outlook, the chance to study abroad, as well as the opportunity to gain work experience through internships.

Starting in Singapore just made sense. I had lived in France almost my whole life, and at the time, I really wanted to explore Asia. So when the opportunity came up, it felt perfect. Experiencing a completely new environment from day one felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Looking back, it was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made.

As you approach graduation, what are your career goals and aspirations?

I’ve been leaning toward a career in finance for a while now, and my internships have really helped shape that path. I started out in a talent management role at Taleo Consulting in Singapore, which gave me my first insight into the industry. Later, I worked as an analyst at Trading Central, a financial market research company in France, which truly confirmed my interest in finance. Each experience allowed me to explore the field in a practical way and solidified my decision to pursue it further.

Looking ahead, I hope to begin my career in a trading or investment-related role and continue building from there, ideally by deepening my knowledge with a master’s degree in finance after graduation.

Can you describe your involvement in student life at the Asia-Pacific campus and how it contributed to your growth both personally and academically?

Campus life in Singapore was genuinely a lot of fun. I had the chance to meet people from all over the world—not just from ESSEC—which made the experience even more enriching. Singapore is such an international city, so there were always opportunities to connect with new people and cultures.

On campus, there were plenty of ways to get involved. I really enjoyed participating in student life, whether through club activities or student representation. I served as a Class Representative and even ran for the Student Council, which turned out to be a great experience. It allowed me to engage more deeply with the community and made my time at ESSEC even more meaningful and memorable.

Given that you spent most of your life in France, how did you find the transition to living and studying in Singapore? What were some of the biggest adjustments you had to make?

The transition wasn’t easy at first. Moving so far away from everything I knew and starting a new chapter on my own felt overwhelming. It was definitely a mix of fear and excitement. However, I knew there were countless new experiences waiting for me, and that made it all worthwhile. Thankfully, things started falling into place quickly. The support we received from ESSEC was invaluable—everything from assistance with visa paperwork to guidance on adapting to life in Singapore. Before long, I found myself settling in, meeting new people, and enjoying the unique rhythm of life there. I had the chance to explore the city, try new things, and experience a completely different part of the world.

If I could offer one piece of advice to future students, it would be to stay open to all experiences. It’s completely normal to feel out of place initially, but with time, you’ll grow, and the journey will be incredibly rewarding. You’ll meet amazing people along the way and discover so much about yourself.