Chinese national Jiayi Wang chose the ESSEC Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA) program in part because of its emphasis on international exposure. She joined the International Business Education Alliance (IBEA) program to maximize her time abroad, allowing her to live and study in top schools in Germany, Brazil, the United States, and Singapore.

She shares about her IBEA experience and how it has helped her develop both personally and professionally—preparing her for her dream career in finance or consulting.

Why the IBEA program and not a regular exchange program?

I chose the IBEA program because of its uniqueness. This program allows you to study and interact with students from prestigious universities worldwide. You also get to work on consulting projects with multinational companies.

It would bring a rich global perspective and offer a professional experience that no other exchange program would.

We understand that the IBEA program is quite an exclusive program, open to just the top students of each cohort. What’s it like being part of this?

My classmates came from the University of Mannheim in Germany, the University of South Carolina in the USA, ESSEC Business School’s France and Singapore campuses, and Fundaçao Getulio Vargas in Brazil.

Each speaks at least three languages and comes from a diverse background. What we have in common is that each of us has excelled academically. We are also open-minded, determined, and have the courage to explore the world.

Tell us about the consulting projects. Who did you work with, and what did you do?

There was one consulting project in each country, and these were with renowned companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Sodexo.

As part of a student-led consulting group, we’d provide business advice to these companies in line with the country’s economic realities.

This was done with the guidance of our professors. It was a valuable experience that made me more competitive in the job market!

What was the biggest highlight of the IBEA program for you?

Definitely, IBEA weekends are where we would travel together. This was a chance for us to get to know each other better. Looking back, these weekends were unforgettable experiences that made my classmates feel like family to me.

How would you say you’ve changed since joining the IBEA program?

I’ve become more knowledgeable and confident after adapting to life in unfamiliar parts of the world and interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds. I’ve learned a lot from the experience!

Advice for others who may be keen on joining the IBEA program?

It’s helpful to learn to speak Portuguese or German before going on exchange, and take advantage of this opportunity to explore the world!