Celina, class of 2025, made a significant decision when she chose to spend a semester abroad. As part of her exchange program, she embarked on an autumn semester at De Vinci Higher Education in Paris with a Marketing and Communication Master’s Specialisation. But instead of taking a conventional flight or train, Celina particularly challenged herself: she cycled over 1,000 kilometres from Switzerland to Paris in just 14 days.
Celina’s motivation for cycling such an impressive distance stemmed from a desire to start her semester abroad with an adventure. She explained that she wanted to ease into French culture and the Parisian way of life.
Leaving Lucerne for Paris
As a Bachelor of Business Engineering student at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), Celina decided to pass an academic semester at EMLV. This 6-month exchange was possible through the numerous partnerships with foreign universities EMLV has worldwide.
Her journey was not only a physical feat but also a mental challenge. Throughout the ride, podcasts and music kept her focused, and the goal of reaching Paris and EMLV fueled her determination.
It was a spontaneous project. After finishing her industrial project and exams, she left her flat and embarked on this adventure. The route, mostly recommended by Google, took her through stunning countryside along the Loire and Seine rivers.
Celina on her way to Paris
The arrival to Paris and EMLV
Celina’s adventure did more than prepare her for life in France; it also allowed her to meet new people. The solo parts of the journey proved to be the most rewarding, as she faced both physical and mental challenges head-on.
Celina’s exchange experience has also given her valuable insights into French culture. According to her, a big part of an Erasmus exchange is understanding how the French think and act.
The Marketing and Communication Master’s Specialisation programme
Once in Paris, Celina quickly adapted to her new environment at De Vinci’s Higher Education, EMLV. She was particularly struck by the integration of artificial intelligence into the marketing curriculum.
For her, it is inspiring to see how fast-paced schools like EMLV are already incorporating AI. The program’s teaching methods are centered on case studies and practical applications in marketing and communication.
Celina’s courses foster a multicultural and international atmosphere, mirroring the environment of large global companies and welcoming students from around the world, where they acquire technical and managerial skills in demand on the job market.
EMLV’s unique transversal approach
Although she initially found the French organizational style less structured than what she was used to in Switzerland, she appreciated the diversity and openness at EMLV, where students from different backgrounds learn to collaborate.
To ease Celina’s arrival, the Welcome Desk aims to make students’ arrival as smooth as possible. They are available to answer any questions regarding the arrival in France for exchange students or the international programs full-time.
As for the future, Celina hasn’t ruled out cycling back to Switzerland at the end of her semester. She mused that she might return her bike in January if the weather allows it.
