Studying abroad means adapting to a new city, a new pace of life and unfamiliar surroundings. For Mouna Bourbate, a third-year International Business Bachelor’s student at Paris School of Business, her semester at ESIC Business School in Madrid was above all an opportunity to step into a new environment and discover a different approach to studying.
Stepping outside her comfort zone and becoming more independent
Studying in another country means leaving familiar surroundings behind and building new ones. It can be unsettling at first, but it is also an incredibly valuable learning experience.
When she arrived in Madrid, Mouna first had to adapt to a new environment, far removed from her usual life in Paris.
“At first, I felt completely lost. The environment was so different from Paris that I had put up barriers for myself without necessarily realizing it.”
Yet within just a few weeks, new routines began to take shape. In Madrid, Mouna learned to manage her daily life in a new city, navigate a multicultural environment, make more decisions on her own and find a rhythm that worked for her.
By the end of her stay, she could clearly see how much she had grown:
“Thanks to the people I met and the new routine I created in Madrid, I became more independent, but also more effective in my studies.”
Discovering a different way of learning
International mobility is also an opportunity to experience different teaching methods and a new academic culture.
At ESIC Business School, Mouna discovered an academic structure that gave students greater freedom to work independently. With classes generally taking place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., she had to learn how to organize her time differently, balancing classes, independent study and exploring her new surroundings.
“It allowed me to create a new, more balanced routine. I had more time to review my classes regularly, but also more time for myself, to explore the city and make the most of the experience.”
The teaching methods themselves also became an important part of the learning experience. Mouna particularly remembers the International Areas and Markets course, which explored different international markets and their economic, political and social characteristics.
Flipped-classroom sessions, debates and group activities made the course highly interactive and encouraged students to play an active role in their learning.
“It was a very dynamic and motivating course that allowed me to broaden my knowledge and gain a better understanding of the challenges facing international markets.”
For an International Business student, this immersion gave her studies a whole new dimension: the international environment was no longer something she simply studied in class, it became part of her everyday life.
Meeting people, sharing experiences and building connections
Studying abroad also means becoming part of a new community. Meeting new people is therefore an essential part of the mobility experience, both in helping students settle in and in exposing them to different cultures and ways of thinking.
In Madrid, Mouna particularly appreciated the warm welcome she received at her host university:
“I settled in very naturally thanks to incredibly kind classmates and professors, as well as the very welcoming atmosphere.”
These encounters also gave her the opportunity to meet students with different backgrounds, experiences and habits, allowing her to experience a multicultural environment on a daily basis.
An academic experience, but a personal one too
International mobility also provides an opportunity for students to learn more about themselves. A change of pace and environment can offer a fresh perspective on existing habits and reveal new ways of organizing everyday life.
In Madrid, Mouna says she found a different balance between her studies, exploring the city and taking time for herself.
The semester was also a personal challenge. Describing herself as “quite reserved and fearful,” she chose to move beyond her apprehensions and embrace the experience fully.
“Despite that, I decided to go for it and seize the opportunity to take part in this exchange.”
A few months later, Mouna came away with much more than the knowledge gained in her classes in Madrid. She returned with new perspectives, greater independence and, above all, the confidence that she could adapt to an unfamiliar environment.
When asked what advice she would give to a student who is still hesitant about studying abroad, her answer is simple:
“Step out of your routine and live this unforgettable experience.”