Moving to Singapore in 2022 marked Aamey Mehta’s first time living away from home in India.

The ESSEC Master in Finance (MiF) Student Ambassador recalls being unsure where to find the most affordable food and groceries and rarely wandering far from school and home in the early days.

But the most surprising for him? How people reserve tables at food courts: They place a small item, such as a packet of tissue paper or card, on the table and walk away to order food.

“It was unheard of to me, but just one of the many cultural adjustments I had to make,” he says with a laugh.

And adjust he has—over a year in, Aamey has a list of favorite haunts to shop and dine, a circle of friends he can call family, and even built his network in Singapore by interning at a locally-based venture capitalist firm.

He says his ability to do this is partly thanks to the ESSEC Asia-Pacific community.

Support for New Students

After all, Aamey’s experience—of feeling a little lost, is a familiar one for international students.

“I was concerned with the distance from my family and friends back home, being in a completely different cultural context, and if I would be able to find like-minded individuals to establish meaningful connections with,” fellow MiF Student Ambassador Marie Hotton says.

While Aamey turned to his fellow ESSEC students for advice, for Marie, who is of French and Hong Kong descent, the pre-arrival team at ESSEC helped alleviate her concerns the most.

“They offered guidance on practical matters such as accommodation, transportation, and cultural nuances, which was immensely helpful in navigating the initial challenges of settling into a new country,” she explains.

She also appreciates the school’s induction day activities, which are crucial to help break the ice between her and her new classmates.

“The sessions were designed to foster collaboration and teamwork. I felt that engaging in different challenges and games enabled us to discover each other’s strengths, communication styles, and problem-solving approaches,” she recalls, noting that this prepared her well to work with her classmates in the regular group projects.

Opportunities to Expand One’s Network

But even daily, Aamey adds, there are opportunities to socialize outside the classroom.

In his first year, he joined the badminton and basketball clubs and participated in an inter-school sporting event for master’s students, all of which allowed him to expand his network in Singapore.

He also attended various networking events organized by alumni of ESSEC.

“At one networking event, I met an ESSEC alumni who had a friend working at a venture capital fund and was looking for an intern. He referred me for the position, which is how I eventually got my first job in Singapore,” Aamey says.

Diversity Brings Benefits

Both Aamey and Marie believe that part of the reason they have managed to adapt quickly to life in Singapore is not just because of ESSEC activities but also the school’s culture and the diversity of the student body.

Marie says that because everyone is an international student, they are keen to learn about each other, and the classroom environment is positive and supportive.

“Each person brings unique perspectives, cultural insights, and professional experiences. I’ve broadened my cultural awareness and hopefully contribute more effectively to an international business environment in the future,” she adds.

Aamey agrees. “Before joining ESSEC, I was more introverted and didn’t leave my comfort zone to meet people. Now, I’ve learned to communicate with people from literally anywhere, which I believe is important for my future.”