From EMLV to Pace University: Maud-Amelie’s Cross-Cultural Experience

EMLV offers opportunities beyond France’s borders and gives students from all over the world the chance to learn abroad in the city of light with experiences like the Exchange Business Programs.

One of the perks of being a student in business school at EMLV is the number of partner universities at your disposal. Pace University is part of this global network, and its Lubin School of Business contributes to the multicultural fabric of French management education.

EMLV & Pace University: partnership and exchange knowledge

As a student in International Business at EMLV in Paris, Maud-Amelie participated in an exchange program at the Lubin School of Business in New York City for a semester. She shared her cross-cultural study experience in an interview originally published by Pace University.

From Paris to New York City: studying business abroad

Studying in the United States has always been a dream of mine because of the concept of the American dream that we have in France. I appreciate the opportunity to practice my English and become completely fluent; this will help me to become a multicultural professional.

I had visited New York before attending Pace, so I already felt very comfortable and enthusiastic about studying on the East Coast.

When choosing a school, I considered different factors and was very quickly convinced that Pace was the place for me. I became very excited about the New York City campus because of its location; presently, studying in the heart of the Financial District in Manhattan is both stimulating and motivating.

What really convinced me to attend Pace was when I read about the school’s placement in different rankings, reviews, and articles.

Pace is a place that teaches respect for individuals and community. This has allowed me to feel confident in my choice. By choosing Pace I knew that I would study essential subjects for my career with renowned professors in a dynamic and modern environment.

Experiencing NYC as an EMLV student

My favorite thing about New York is that there is always something to do or see no matter where you go.

The city is so big and the neighborhoods are so different from one another that you are never disappointed.

There is something for everyone to discover all the time! This is the reason New York City is called “the city that never sleeps.”

Some of my peers have used their weekends to discover other cities in the United States such as Los Angeles, Chicago, or Washington, D.C. As for me, there is so much more for me to explore in New York. No matter where you are in the city, you feel like you are no more than 20 minutes away from everything; you can do so many different things in one day. You will never get bored.

I have had the pleasure of meeting a lot of students here, both exchange and local students. I have new friends from many different backgrounds; they are American, Norwegian, Israeli, French, and Portuguese. This has helped me to improve my language skills and has developed my perception of the world and myself.

I have grown as a person thanks to this academic exchange.

The professors are also a great source of support. They are very understanding and their teaching styles are highly effective. I’d like to shout out my Comparative Management Systems professor, Professor O’Keefe, who always makes time during class to ask us how we are doing and on a weekly basis she asks us what new things we have discovered in New York. Further, she provides valuable advice about how to learn and write effectively. This has enhanced the way I study for exams.

How to make the most of your NYC study exchange experience

The primary advice I would give to students who want to study in New York, specifically at Pace University, is to be open to venture into the unknown and talk to new people you do not know. If you need help, it’s okay to ask for it! Americans have an approachability that is not found everywhere and it is generally enjoyable to talk to them. Moreover, in New York, people are very open-minded and welcoming.

I have never regretted asking for help from the people around me and I have always been pleasantly surprised by my conversations with strangers. Of course though, remain cautious when approaching strangers!

Additionally, it is essential to have things worked out before arriving in New York, especially accommodations. Things can quickly become complicated if you have a list of what you are looking for in an apartment. It is essential to organize your departure well and not to neglect the paperwork and documents required for you travel and apartment leases.

In my opinion, my Lubin Life has probably been the most rewarding time of my life (I’m in my 20s). The Lubin culture has given me a lot to do every day between community, opportunity, and encounters with others, with myself, and with the world.

I have been able to develop ideas and find a rhythm to my days thanks to all of the resources offered by Pace/Lubin and its environment.