EAFIT – EM Strasbourg: Studying in the heart of Europe

During my undergraduate degree, I really enjoyed the approach that EAFIT gave to my university life of being able to explore the world by working with different cultures and being able, from the theoretical point of view, to analyze internationalization options for companies, public or private.

However, when I finished my degree, I had a nagging doubt of the practical part that they taught me so much, and that is why I chose a master’s degree in international business. This, not only provided a more practical approach within their classes but also provided an international and multicultural experience where most of their students are foreigners since the MIB has agreements with different universities in the world, not only allowing these students come to Colombia to enrich themselves with the Latin culture but also give Colombian students the possibility of exchange and double degrees with these same universities.

Where to study my Dual Degree?

In my case, since French is my third language, from the beginning of the master’s I saw the possibility of a double degree with the University of Strasbourg. EM Strasbourg, located in the heart of Europe, is a private university attached to the University of Strasbourg, built in the 16th century and recognized by its graduates and famous professors, including 18 winners and several more nominees for the Nobel Prize.

Every year EM Strasbourg receives around 500 international students. My preparation to apply was easier than I thought, Thomas, the director of the master’s degree and the office of international relations (ORI) are available to answer any questions.

When I entered the master’s degree, Thomas explained to me the procedure to carry out within the curriculum to know which subjects are homologated between both universities and the ORI provided me with the documents to fill out to be chosen by EAFIT where it will be noted if my profile fits the incoming university and to be able to formally present myself for EM to give its approval.

After the double degree has been approved by both universities, the visa, stay and life procedures in Strasbourg are next. From this part, EM begins to contact you to give recommendations and guides in this regard.

Without going into many financial details, is necessary to have an endorsement from here, since, although the French government has different options for student aid, they are very bureaucratic issues which can take months to respond.

Living and Studying in Strasbourg

I associate life in Strasbourg with German stories and graphic comics such as Hansen and Gretel, it is a border city with Germany which has been recognized and fought by both countries for many years, its architecture and food is very German, which makes most of its inhabitants speak both languages ​​and even live in one country and work in the other.

Culturally, Strasbourg is the cultural competence of Paris, it has great theaters, orchestras and operas, it is a very cheerful city, easy to get to know and with very diverse environments, from sports, culture, academia and nightlife. Its location greatly facilitates land and air travel.

The networking opportunities are endless, the EM classes have more than 70% of foreigners from more than 15 different countries and in the same way they have natives with whom to practice the language and achieve very strong connections.

The EM – MIB connection is the perfect combination, it has the same duration as completing it in EAFIT, plus it has very marked cultural experiences, from the differences between classes, teachers, students and the period of 3 months internship that EM – MIB requires for its students in a preferably French or European company finalizes the perfect mix to leave with diverse knowledge and practice for the future post-graduate workplace.

This is a summary of my international exchange experience. Inpraxi kindly provided the space to write about and publish my experience. No remuneration of any kind was provided for this testimonial.