Krishna Collective: An Emory MBA In (HEC) Paris

This spring, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in an exchange program at HEC Paris, which was ranked as the No. 1 European business school by the Financial Times in 2023. Having graduated from undergrad during the pandemic, I never had the chance to study abroad and immerse myself in a different culture until now.

I have come to understand the significance of a student exchange and view it as a rite of passage for every student. It is an invaluable experience for which words can hardly express my gratitude, especially considering the personal growth I experienced. Participating in a student exchange taught me to communicate despite language barriers, become resourceful in the face of adversity—like getting caught in my first snowstorm—and embrace the unknowns of living in a new country.

GEARING UP FOR THE BIG MOVE

When I joined the MBA program at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, I was eager to seize the opportunity for a student exchange, and HEC Paris was my top choice. I considered London Business School, Bocconi, and HEC Paris. Ultimately, I chose HEC for its rich French cultural experiences, the intensive three-month exchange period, and the opportunity to learn about the European financial industry.

My excitement was boundless upon learning of my acceptance to HEC Paris’s exchange program. I began the excruciating process of applying for a student visa (for a stay exceeding 90 days), completing administrative registration, and selecting electives for my semester abroad. My journey from Goizueta to Paris started in December 2023, just in time for the holiday season.

Before setting foot on the HEC Paris campus, I felt prepared thanks to the university’s HEC Buddy Program. My HEC Buddy, Nishka Hemrajh, was pivotal in easing my transition to life in France. She offered insights into French social customs, assisting with practicalities like getting a SIM card, and helping me develop a checklist for my move.

LA VIE MAGNIFIQUE

I found a place in Versailles, conveniently located near the campus in Jouy-en-Josas. A highlight of my exchange experience was meeting classmates and other exchange students from globally renowned institutions such as Yale School of Management, Rotterdam School of Management, HKUST Business School (Hong Kong), and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan – to name a few. Wen Qian Chang, an HEC student from Singapore, quickly became a dear friend, and even welcomed me into her Rotterdam home in the Netherlands. Wen introduced me to my first taste of both sweet and savory crepes and the finest croissant in Paris from La Maison Pichard. Having lived in Ghana and Nigeria and traveled to over 30 countries, Wen was an invaluable source of travel tips and recommendations. Like Wen, most of my classmates came from non-French-speaking countries, which helped to alleviate my concerns about navigating French in France.

Indulging in French cuisine and historical sites was an incredible experience. The leisurely pace of French dining stood out to me, as meals were savored with no rush. It was a common and delightful sight to see someone lingering at a café, sipping a chocolat chaud (hot chocolate), engrossed in people-watching for hours on end. The interactive nature of people here also caught my eye; on train rides, it’s common to see passengers reading books or admiring the view rather than their phone screens. Watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle for the first five minutes of every hour was breath-taking. HEC Paris also arranged for exchange students to tour the Palace of Versailles. Observing the chambers of French royalty, I was amazed by the craftsmanship of architects and decorators from that era. Museums such as the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre Museum, the Picasso Museum, and many others offer free admission on the first Sunday of each month. I discovered that Paris also provides discounts to many museums, monuments, opera houses, and movie theaters for students and individuals under the age of 26. I had the chance to see my first play, Mozart, at the Châtelet Theatre—an incredible experience from near the front of the stage for only $10.

ACADEMIC LESSONS

The coursework at HEC Paris, similar to that at Goizueta, focused on collaboration and teamwork right from the start, both inside and outside the classroom. I particularly valued the focus on team-building from the first class session and the hands-on approach to coursework and projects within the classroom.

My first course, The Fresh Connection, was a two-day supply chain simulation course about maximizing return on investment (ROI) for a fruit juice company. In a team of 5, each of us had a different role, including purchasing, operations, supply chain, and sales/marketing. Initially, we were performing poorly in the simulation as we played our roles independently. However, we figured out the importance of communication mid-simulation and how each role impacted the other. For example, I was in charge of supply chain; therefore I needed to closely coordinate with operations to manage warehouse capacity and schedule employee shifts effectively. This experience was invaluable for honing my problem-solving skills, reflecting on decision-making processes, and learning to recover from early setbacks.

The structure of elective courses at HEC Paris differed from Goizueta’s. Instead of attending classes twice a week for an hour-and-a-half, I found myself in 4 classes of 5-7 hour sessions, predominantly with in-class work culminating in a final presentation or paper. The exchange provided the opportunity to forge countless new friendships, including one with Niral Shah, an MBA exchange student from Michigan Ross. With over ten years of experience as a Trauma Surgeon and current aspirations to launch his own startup, Niral embodies the diverse array of professional backgrounds that I had the opportunity to meet and work with. I always enjoyed  the outings around Paris that Niral and I enjoyed as he is a Michelin Star Connoisseur with an impressive knowledge of historical landmarks.

During my MBA, my growing interest in the finance sector led me to focus mainly on finance courses at HEC Paris, including Private Equity Buy Out and Investor Relations. In the Private Equity Buy Out course, I was given the chance to pitch a Leveraged Buy Out (LBO) and a Management Buy Out (MBO) alongside my team of four, an opportunity that proved to be invaluable in building my technical expertise. Furthermore, I had joined the HEC Investment Banking, Private Equity, and Venture Capital club. The club enhanced my learning experience through a Merger and Acquisition (M&A) workshop provided by Financial Edge, which helped me learn the Buyside M&A process and analyze valuations.

THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME

Experiencing life in France and Europe for the first time was invigorating. Coming from Florida, the first winter was challenging. Yet, it also presented me with the experience of my first snowfall. As a vegetarian, finding suitable dining options in French cuisine was a struggle, but I was thankful for numerous other Asian, Haitian, and Vegan cuisines. I also embraced cooking to meet my dietary needs, discovering local produce and bakeries. In France, while many individuals spoke little English, I often resorted to Google Translate for assistance with grocery shopping, bakery visits, and dining at restaurants without English menus. Moreover, I had the chance to explore Iceland, Spain, Belgium, and Amsterdam with fellow exchange students from Goizueta and other schools.

I wholeheartedly recommend the exchange program and encourage every student to participate in a study abroad experience. From a financial perspective, the program was feasible, with tuition covering the exchange and only living expenses being out-of-pocket. Living costs were quite reasonable, particularly in terms of transportation. Using public transportation, the Île-de-France, one ride cost about 2.50 Euros. Additionally, I could often take advantage of student meal deals at restaurants, which typically included a sandwich, drink, and dessert for around 6 Euros. The experience allowed me to forge a global network of friends and colleagues that I hope to reconnect with in the future. Even more, these global experiences offer exposure to diverse cultures, people, and experiences.

I am grateful for my time at HEC Paris and would only change one aspect: opting for a Fall semester to avoid the gloomy rainy winter. Living abroad for the first time since my childhood in India, I learned adaptability, self-reliance, and curiosity. My experience at HEC Paris has been an unforgettable part of my MBA journey, one that I will always treasure.

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Krishna Thakkar is a second-year student at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, majoring in Finance. Originally from Titusville, Florida, she spent her early years in India. Having graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a background in public health, her experience primarily revolves around social justice nonprofits in the public and education sectors. Krishna is passionate about amplifying diverse voices and narratives, while honing her storytelling abilities.

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