Bhairavi, Double Degree to NEOMA, France

2025/05/01 Thu

Bhairavi (India)

Bhairavi joined the Global BBA Program in 2021 from Indian International School in Japan (IISJ). She decided to take on the challenge of NUCB's Double Degree program, earning two Degrees in 4 years with one of our partner schools. We caught up with her to ask her about her life in France and at NEOMA Business School.

What motivated you to join the Double Degree Program?

I was drawn to the Double Degree Program because it offered the chance to study in two unique environments and earn two degrees. I was excited about learning French and immersing myself in a new culture. It became an incredible opportunity for personal growth, new experiences, and meeting amazing people.

What was your experience with classes and practical training?

I enjoyed my classes at NEOMA. They were incredibly engaging and offered a great mix of theory and practical application. I realized that there were more opportunities for hands-on learning at NEOMA. One of my most memorable classes was the Live Business Development Case (LBDC), which entailed a group of students communicating with the founder of a startup of an SME to understand their history, company culture, and then provide any recommendations in their business strategy based on their business model.
Additionally, I studied subjects like Entrepreneurship, Project Management, The Social Impact of Globalization and Innovation, and International Marketing Strategy. The courses involved a lot of case studies, group projects, and exams, which helped me sharpen my skills. It was a different learning environment compared to NUCB but I found it to be very productive and adjusted fast.

What was your daily schedule like?

My daily schedule wasn’t rigid, which I really liked. I would arrive early on campus, attend my classes, and then spend time working on assignments. The best part was having free time during the work week to explore the city — visiting parks, museums, and local spots, or the city center which was close by from my place, which was a good stress relief for me.

How did you manage your accommodation and expenses?

I was fortunate to find student housing accommodation, which was very convenient and cost-effective. There are 2 platforms that allow students in France to find accommodation near their selected campus - CROUS and Studapart. I had used the Studapart platform which is convenient as it lists the housing location, facilities available, and discloses insurance policies before signing a contract. My monthly expenses were manageable, with the rent amounting to 460 euros. Rent can be discounted if the student is registered to CAF, however, that requires having social security. My additional costs were mostly spent on groceries and travel. I made sure to budget carefully, which helped me enjoy my time abroad without stress.

What lessons did you learn during your time abroad?

Living abroad taught me how to stay flexible and patient when things don’t go as planned. I also learned how to manage stress better, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and be more productive academically. I used to be the type of person who needed to have every part of my life carefully planned out. This experience taught me that no matter how much I try to plan my life, some things happen outside of my control. Sometimes, things need to take their own course, and I need to learn to accept my situation. There is no use in taking stress for unexpected changes in life, and usually everything works out for the good.

What are your future plans?

I’m excited to apply everything I’ve learned during this experience. I’m looking to find a job in Japan or abroad where I can continue growing both professionally and personally. Currently, I am more interested in the travel or tourism industry, and would like to find a job related to this field. I believe that I can apply my learnings from both NUCB and NEOMA to my hobby in a professional way.

What advice would you give to future participants in the program?

My biggest piece of advice is to fully embrace the experience! Do your research about your destination, understand the culture, and connect with others to get the most out of your time abroad.
Remember to have a support system: your friends, family, the closest people in your life. I wouldn’t have been able to follow through on completing my time abroad if it weren’t for the support I received from my people.
Always keep a positive attitude — there will be challenges, but the growth you’ll experience will be completely worth it.

NUCB's Exchange Program

At NUCB, students can choose from 187 partner schools in 63 countries for study abroad opportunities. They have the chance to learn business in English at top international business schools accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. In this prestigious academic environment, students can develop into global professionals through friendly competition and collaboration with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds.