While the inside of the SKEMA business school may feel like a piece of France on NC State’s Centennial Campus, its students are much more interested in gaining the “American college” experience.
The images of green campus courtyards, painted-up sports fans and Red Solo cups are broadcast around the world in television and movies, establishing the idea of the American college. This concept and the United States economic power in the business world attract international students for not only a valuable academic opportunity, but also a good time.
“It’s like what you see in the movies when you are on main campus,” said Anais Ducos, a student studying in the U.S. for the spring semester.
Ducos chose to come to the Raleigh SKEMA campus after studying in Europe for three years.
SKEMA students can study in satellite schools in Morocco, China and Brazil, yet according to Marie-Claire Ribeill, honorary consul of France to North Carolina and SKEMA professor, the Raleigh campus is by far the most popular destination.
“I think Europe has become a little gloomy due to the economy not doing well,” Ribeill said. “Students see a optimism in America.”
Students are not only coming for the cultural experience, but also for an edge in the business world that knowledge of American customs and proficiency of English provide.
“All of my friends who went to China come back and did not know any more English,” Ducos said. “I wanted to come here for the language.”
The chance to study in the U.S. is a lucrative option for many students in Europe with manifold benefits in business experience and language proficiency. Aside from the gained knowledge and skills, the classic idea of the U.S. being a land of opportunity is also a big draw for students.
“A lot of students are attracted by what they call the American dream,” Yana Ghanem, the student body president of SKEMA, said. “They have this image of the U.S. being a country that gives plenty of opportunities.”
While the students in SKEMA are studying abroad, it is a different abroad experience than what American students typically look for. In the majority of foreign study programs from NC State, students will often be taking nine or fewer hour semesters with the focus being on the cultural experience outside of the classroom. When SKEMA students are abroad, most take the same course load they were taking in France.
“What they are studying here is almost the same as in France.” Ribeill said. “It’s just another semester someplace else.”
While the SKEMA students take a similar course load, the way French universities are taught emphasize time in the class over individual work outside the classroom. This leads to longer classes, but less outside reading and projects.
“In America, students do a lot of reading outside,” Ribeill said. “Our students have between 20-30 hours of class time a week.”
While classes are longer and more demanding, many students will take advantage of reading-free weekends and take short road trips to see more of the country.
“When you are out of class, you are not thinking of school,” Ducos said.
Though study abroad may be viewed as a once in a lifetime experience for some, many SKEMA students hope to stay and pursue MBA’s or live in the U.S. Charles Delbes, a 4th year student at SKEMA, has studied in the U.S. for two different stints now and hopes to stay and start his own business. He plans to market French language programs for children in the U.S., inspired by seeing younger kids mastering two languages from early practice.
“I saw a business opportunity,” Delbes said. “I hope I can still be here to work on it after my graduation.”
