The Australian contingent on a day trip to
the Beaujolais region organised by
Professor Andrew Roberts. Yes, we were earning MBA credits here. |
My experience as an EM Lyon Monash Abroad student
Let me begin this short essay by saying that if you can take part in any of
the Monash Abroad programs, particularly this one, then you should move Heaven
and Earth to do so. It is one of the best things you will ever do for yourself,
both academically and personally.
I am well-travelled person and have been to Europe many times, but I have never
had an experience this rewarding and fulfilling whilst doing so as this was.
I also did not realise how much we don’t know about what is really going
on in Europe and just how important the changes that are happening there are
to us here in Australia, both economically and socially. We do tend to be very
America or Asia focussed.
I combined my time in Lyon with a holiday and then I went on to do a subject
at the Monash, Prato campus in Italy. I was travelling for nearly 4 months all
up. Most of the other Australian participants in the Lyon program extended their
time abroad to include travel too. However, the Lyon program is designed in
such a way that you have plenty of time to make the most of being in one of
the most beautiful countries in the world. We travelled to a new place each
weekend we were there. While I was in Lyon the Cannes film festival and the
Monaco Grand Prix where taking place and we travelled down to Nice for a long
weekend to check them both out.
EM Lyon is one of the most prestigious schools in France and the level of teaching
and lecture material was both interesting and relevant. The lecturers were from
several different countries including France, Germany and Spain (although the
subject is taught in English). The study materials are excellent and the course
is very well organised. Andrew, the course co-ordinator is a highly entertaining,
intelligent and extremely interesting man who takes great pride and pleasure
in his role. The school itself is set in a beautiful location and the facilities
are excellent.
Andrew and the cast and crew at the Australian
BBQ we hosted. |
Our classroom consisted of mainly Americans, and with only 5 Australians present
we were outnumbered about 5 to 1. But we held our own! And we learnt a lot about
how the people on the ground in the US feel about many different subjects. Needless
to say, classroom discussions were quite lively!
EM Lyon is located about 10 km from Lyon township itself but the trains and
buses are excellent. I would strongly recommend staying on campus, although
for those of us that have never lived on campus before, the basic accommodations
came as a bit of a shock! But as I soon found out, this becomes irrelevant when
you realise what a great time there is to be had with all the other students
staying there. There are many parties and communal dinners and barbeques, a
well as trips into Lyon to experience the nightlife (if that is your thing).
Lyon has a thriving nightlife for all ages and interests, from opera and theatre
to live street theatre, live music and nightclubs. The shopping is great too!
For me this trip was about learning. Not only about the course material but
also about how much more there is to our world than just what we see everyday
and in the media. I learnt that by exposing myself to a totally different environment
I could learn more about myself. But the biggest lesson I learnt was that people
are the most incredibly interesting and important part of our lives. I travelled
on my own and I had to make the effort to interact with the people on my journey.
I met some amazing people during my travels and even ended up travelling for
3 weeks in Spain with some of the people I met in Lyon.
So, do yourself an enormous favour and participate in the Monash Abroad programs.
And if you can, do the EM Lyon program. Even if you can’t, find a way
to go! Go alone or take your family or loved ones. It will be an experience
that, like me, you will remember and benefit from forever.
The view from student digs window. |
Lisa Clague
Monash MBA Student
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