Reflections on ESC Dijon (The Burgundy School of Business)

Well it’s just about over.  The MBA and the trip.  I’m pretty happy about the first, a little sad about the second.  Life in France has been pretty good to us.  Great food, great side trips (favorites: Scotland and Switzerland) and great experiences.  Some a little on the “interesting” side, like our trip to the Marche de Noel at the Place de la Republique last night.  Yes there were Christmas carols, Christmas trees for sale and hot chocolate.  There was also a 100’ ferris wheel, hot wine, dancing hippies and (wait for it) the Miss France contestants surrounded by hundreds of bodyguards.  Yes France sometimes seems a little otherworldly. 

This is my last week of classes and exams at the ESC Dijon (Burgundy School of Business) so about time I talk about my school experience.  The school is small by Canadian standards (like a small community college), the WIFI is spotty (although better than last year I’m told – Macs work best for some reason), you have to squeeze through the smokers to get to the front door and the food is not very good in the cafeteria.  However, the profs are excellent!  The four I had were outstanding (one the class even clapped for at the end of each session).  The school is old (over 100yrs) and has a reputation for excellence.  The library staff are helpful and don’t look down their noses at you as if you’re trying to steal the books (like Canada) and there are a million clubs.  Campus life is so active it’s impossible to keep track of all the goings-on. 

The best part is the truly global atmosphere.  I’m used to working with foreign students in Canada, but the school here is comprised of 50% or more students from other countries.   My one group had five people in it representing four continents.  And the poor café is made up for by the truly excellent sandwicherie across the street.

Most classes were held in large amphitheatres, but occasionally were crammed into smaller classrooms (which had internet and power access under each table so better for laptop use though for a Canadian it felt truly claustrophobic).  The French students were polite, helpful and one group head hunted me for their projects.  Pretty cool (good bunch of people – will go far in life).  The biggest difference I noticed between the French students and I was a “let’s get it done now” mentality.  Where I like to let a subject or a case sit so I can think about it, reflect on it and finally start the project 24 hrs before it’s due, they jump on it, get it done and out the door, sometimes before class has ended . 

French class has been an experience.  It’s all in French, no English at all so I’ve had to really work on my oral comprehension.  I can mostly understand my prof and have so perfected my “I’m confused” look that she repeats the parts I don’t get.  The grammar is all a rehash of everything I’ve studied since Gr. 10 but I can actually listen to people and understand (mostly) when they speak – WHICH IS HUGE!  I still have a hard time when they speak too fast or there’s background noise OR when they have a strong accent, but way better than my skills upon arrival. 

All-in-all it’s been fun and I highly recommend it for MBA’s looking to work on the international stage.  The school has a very good recruitment office and regularly sends out emails for jobs with P&G, banks in Luxemburg and the SNCF (Rail France).  While most of these are “stages” or internships, still the international experience is great.

Thanks Geoffrey, Lea, Florence and many others for making the stay in France and the time at ESC Dijon fun!  Special shout out to Will (whom my kids adopted him first time he came over for dinner) and to the exchange group in both Dijon (Nathalie) and Windsor (Michelle) for helping make this happen!

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