My Erasmus Experience at Neoma Business School Reims

I have spent the last 15 months as a student at Neoma Business School in Reims. From the very beginning, this has been a journey full of excitement and opportunity. Having arrived in France amid an ongoing global pandemic, I was even more grateful for the experience of living in a new country and embracing a new culture. As soon as I arrived, I felt a great sense of community in Reims. Neoma made me feel at home and offered me plenty of support and information in order to prepare me for my new student life.

The CESEM course brings together students from across the globe and offers a dynamic environment where diversity can be celebrated. Teamwork and group presentations are embraced in the teaching methods at Neoma which granted me the opportunity to work with classmates from France, China, America, etc. and of course from home too. A large emphasis is placed on continuous assessment, and I found myself gaining confidence as I undertook various class presentations and pitches.

While the majority of last year’s lectures took place via Zoom, this year has been entirely on campus, presenting me with a completely new experience. Classroom discussions and debates are encouraged which has helped me to practice and improve my French, while also aiding my understanding of certain subjects. The small class numbers, compared to that in DCU, means that I can share my thoughts directly with my professor and receive immediate feedback. It has also helped me form strong relationships with the people around me and generates a positive classroom atmosphere.

The people you meet at Neoma are what makes the experience so special, and these relationships are carried beyond the classroom. Over the past year, I have gotten to know so many different types of people and got to learn more about their respective cultures. From listening to Spanish music to practising Italian dancing, there is an abundance of ways to stay busy! Reims itself is immersed in French culture, with its stunning cathedral offering a background for many post-lecture coffee dates. Student life is at the centre of the city, and you can often spot Neoma student associations hosting events in different bars and restaurants.

Students create the atmosphere of Neoma, and this is seen through the extra-curricular activities offered by the university. Student associations exist for a wide variety of interests ranging from sport to art to sustainability, so there is certainly something for everyone. Student voices are heard and as a class representative, I felt that meetings with the course director really helped target topics relevant to us, students.

Neoma Business School has provided me with a university experience beyond my expectations and has matched that of DCU, something which I, at first, did not think was possible. However, after almost 3 semesters here I feel completely at home. The connections and memories I have made at Neoma, I hope will last a lifetime, along with the skills and competencies of which I have acquired. Nearing the end of my time at Reims, I can truly say that I feel ready and prepared to embrace whatever lies ahead in my professional and academic journey.

Author: Saoirse Duffy, BA Global Business France

Course Page: https://business.dcu.ie/course/global-business-france/