Since graduating from ESSEC Business School’s Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA) program in 2019, Akarsh Thodupunuri from India and Yufei Zhou from Shanghai have hurtled into global careers.

Akarsh did a stint as Assistant e-Commerce Manager for Heineken in France, went on to an MSc in Digital Management at Ivey Business School in Canada, and eventually settled into a full-time consulting role at Deloitte, also in Canada. Yufei, on the other hand, flew to the UK to do a Master’s in Analytics and Management at London Business School before finding work as an analyst at the BlackRock London office.

Despite being halfway across the world from their homes, they’re navigating their new lives gracefully and quickly. They share how the GBBA program’s global exposure has helped them do this.

Gaining Confidence in New Cultures

Akarsh’s exchange experiences played a pivotal part in building his confidence and communication skills. Most memorable for him was his exchange program at Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands.

“Thanks to this exchange program, I not only expanded my knowledge of Dutch culture and language, but I was also able to develop a robust pan-European network of friends,” he shares. “Recently, I reconnected with all these friends in Canada where I am currently and can say that these connections are beneficial!”

Yufei, on the other hand, traveled the world through the International Business Education Alliance (IBEA) program. The IBEA program gives the top 10 students from four schools—ESSEC Business School, the University of Mannheim, Fundaçao Getulio Vargas, and the University of South Carolina—the opportunity to live, study, and work across Singapore, Germany, Brazil, and the USA.

“This unparalleled global exposure, combined with cultural immersion, prepared me for the diverse challenges in the international business landscape, in an experience unmatched by any other types of exchange,” Yufei shares. She adds: “Through this, I gained skills and mindset to thrive in a globalized world where embracing diversity and technological innovation are critical.”

Set Apart by International Work Exposure

The two share that their GBBA global exposure included opportunities to work overseas. Akarsh interned at a consulting firm in France and gained exposure to working with people across the EMEA region. At the same time, Yufei was a “junior consultant,” supporting a company in each country she visited during the IBEA journey.

Having such professional experience—coupled with how it was done overseas, no doubt helped them secure positions in their master’s programs and catch the eyes of their hiring managers, they say.

Renewed Perspectives for the Future

But most important of all? How their travels have shaped their perspectives and transformed them as people.

“The cultural appreciation and adaptability I gained through IBEA are now ingrained in my approach to life,” Yufei declares. “I’ve developed a deep curiosity for various aspects of life, learned to avoid clichés, and always approach new situations with an open mind. I see myself as a blank canvas ready to be filled with diverse experiences.”

Akarsh’s view is similar. “It has been a journey of self-discovery,” he muses. “It gave me a deep understanding of cultural nuances and the ability to think holistically. Being at ESSEC has helped me realize my potential, and I am grateful to my peers for their support and belief in me.”