ESSEC APAC welcomed over 400 students from diverse countries and backgrounds to our campus in September, marking the start of the new academic year.

To prepare students for their academic and professional journeys in Singapore, ESSEC organized a series of induction programs.

The month was packed with exciting and educational activities, from workshops and information sessions to city tours and scavenger hunts.

GBBA Induction

On 27 August, ESSEC welcomed 106 first-year Global Bachelor of Business Administration (GBBA) students from 19 different nationalities.

The afternoon session commenced with an opening address from our Deputy Dean, Reetika Gupta, joined by Prof. Christina Terra, the Academic Director of the BBA program, and Prof. Daphne Lui, the Associate Academic Director of the BBA program.

The Academic Affairs teams then provided an overview of the program and organized a parent meeting, which 80 parents attended on campus and virtually.

Our students delved into the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) realm the next day during a two-hour workshop with videos and interactive activities.

The SEL workshop taught soft skills vital for enhancing personal and social well-being, such as self-management and self-awareness.

To familiarise themselves with Singapore’s culture and landmarks, students visited destinations including the Singapore City Gallery and Orchard Road, the bustling shopping district.

They explored the Colonial District, took in the scenic views at Marina Barrage, and ended the day with a dinner at Lau Pa Sat, a historic food market.

Student Life also organized a scavenger hunt at Fort Canning Park. The students were divided into teams and tasked with finding various historical and cultural landmarks in the park.

Everyone participated enthusiastically, kicking off their ESSEC journey with excitement and camaraderie.

MMD and SMIB Induction

On 4 September, ESSEC conducted our first-ever combined induction for the MSc in Marketing Management and Digital (MMD) and Master in Strategy and Management of International Business (SMIB) programs.

ESSEC welcomed its largest cohort of MMD students since the program’s inception in 2017. With an intake of 107 students, the cohort is a testament to the program’s relevance to today’s changing business and marketing landscape.

Students from both programs forged new friendships as the induction activities integrated them into the ESSEC community.

MIF Induction

ESSEC welcomed a fresh intake of Master in Finance (MiF) students for the new academic year. Since its inception in 2016, our MiF program has grown from 19 to 53 students this year.

The MiF program team, in collaboration with Career Services and the French coaching firm AlumnEye, has been preparing from the start of the program to equip students for the competitive job market.

Among the sessions organized for the new students was a career talk by ESSEC alumnus Fabien Meyer. Fabien shared his journey from ESSEC student to his current role as an Investment Banking Analyst at Lazard Singapore.

Our students also visited the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Gallery, hosted by Eric Lee, MAS’s Deputy Director.

During the visit, they participated in a Q&A session that provided insights into Singapore’s financial regulatory framework and MAS’s role in ensuring sustainable economic growth.

MiM Induction

Forty-one Master in Management (MiM) students from five countries arrived at ESSEC APAC on 11 September. The students started their journey by attending academic workshops.

These sessions covered various topics, such as mobility options and information on track selection and e-learning. The program team also arranged one-on-one meetings with students to discuss their study plans.

To prepare students to meet the demands of the workforce, Career Services conducted an introductory workshop with the students.

Following this, ESSEC kicked off the Junior Consultant Experience (JCE). The JCE invites eight teams of students, mentored by four companies and ESSEC’s academic supervisors, to work on real-life business projects.

Induction week wasn’t just about academics; ESSEC ran workshops for students promoting respect, inclusivity, positive behavior, and awareness of climate change and sustainability.

Students also attended a Student Life workshop to introduce themselves to ESSEC’s social activities and then took a tour to familiarize themselves with the campus and its surroundings.

A Smooth Arrival Experience

ESSEC organized a series of matriculation activities across all programs. The process benefited 418 students.

The matriculation process requires students to submit various documents and forms, including local contact information, insurance details, and medical authorizations.

While the process was previously conducted entirely online, the ESSEC Pre-Arrival team set up booths on campus this year.

Students from all programs completed matriculation and clarified any inquiries face-to-face, ensuring a smoother transition into the academic year.

Let’s hear from some of our new students:

“My experience at ESSEC has been great so far. During the first weeks on campus, we brushed up on our financial knowledge through refresher courses and received intensive training for job hunting. From day one, ESSEC has been preparing our cohort for our academic and professional careers.”—Liv Braun, MiF Student

“From the beginning, this experience has been far more than just about academics. I am fortunate to be part of a diverse community, surrounded by individuals from all walks of life, where engagement, solidarity, and openness truly define the program.”—Maryem Bouyagoub, MiF Student

Induction is the first step toward a successful and enjoyable experience at ESSEC. We hope these activities will aid the new intake of students throughout their academic learning journey, and we wish them all the best for the year ahead!