Experiencing Partner School's Online Summer Program

What is ‘Online Summer Program’?

Every June to August, NUCB Undergraduate School regularly sends students to partner schools to participate in short-term intensive programs, namely Summer Programs. At our partner schools, students can take courses in uniquely offered expertises (in English) and take part in cultural & social activities, and company visits, together with students from all over the world. This year, due to the global pandemic, our outgoing programs were unfortunately cancelled, but thanks to the online course delivery (establish by the vast majority of institutions around the world), 6 of our students were able to join Summer Programs from the comfort of their home, including Ms. Shimohata.

Prior to joining Kedge Business School's Online Summer Program, Ms. Shimohata has been actively participating in our international programs: International Volunteer Project (France), Language Program (Canada), and CAPI - Overseas Internship Program (India). Today, we interviewed her about her experience of this program.

Why did you choose to join this program?

My English skills improved significantly after joining the Language Program. Therefore, I wanted to challenge myself by learning business-related courses in English. Initially, I was intending to go to France and immerse myself in the environment; but despite the fact that I could not travel, I believed that the contents of the courses would not changed much regardless of being online or on-site. I chose Kedge Business School's Summer Program because I like France and have heard great reviews about this school from my friends - Kedge students who came to NUCB Undergraduate School for their exchange studies.

How is the class so far?

I have registered for 3 courses, spanning over 2 weeks; currently, I am following 'Sports Marketing & Communication'. Kedge combines their live online classes with a variety of assignments. Due to the time difference, I usually attend the class from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM, and then have a quiz or prepare for a presentation with my classmates afterwards. In my class, there are around 25 students who are mainly students from Kedge who have been studying sports marketing. Being from the Faculty of International Studies, I do find myself having a paucity of certain marketing knowledge as well as technical jargons, but I keep working hard to overcome this difference.

Most of my classmate have a good command of the English language and are very active, so it is always interesting to work in group with them. Different from the Language Program that I have attended previously, I am able to acquire professional knowledge in Sports Marketing, as well as engage in discussions with others in class. Up until now, I have taken part in numerous outgoing programs and have been able to improve so much by making continuous efforts.

Although this is the first time for me to follow an online class from abroad, being able to learn at my own pace while having the fees waived are definitely great advantages. Since I am neither able to meet international students in person nor experience the French culture, I would still like to go on an international program before graduation.