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Academic mobility
Second and third year students in the Grande École program have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or an academic year.
Studying Abroad: A Taste of Digital Nomadism
The work culture today is very different from what it was ten years ago: with a simple laptop and an Internet connection, it is possible to work anywhere in the world and at any time. Those who are called digital nomads ignore traditional work environments and opt for a freer lifestyle: living, traveling and working anywhere in the world. For more information on the subject, we recommend you visit the Votre Tour du Monde website by clicking here .
One million international students arrive each year to study in the United States. Many of them take a liking to the country and stay after graduation. This phenomenon is not unique to the United States, as students travel to all corners of the world to study and live.
The lifestyle of digital nomads is often idealized. We imagine them with a laptop on a beach in Thailand… The reality is that many of them work in an exotic environment, but with more demanding hours than those we know in companies. Digital nomads work for a company remotely or as freelancers and many of them are linked to projects to which they are called upon to contribute. These new types of workers choose to integrate travel and mobility into their lifestyle. They are, in a way, entrepreneurs capable of running their business without having to meet their clients, suppliers, employees, bankers or representatives. The success of work platforms like Upwork has helped fuel the desire of young women and men to go beyond the borders of their country, to travel and work at the same time.
The future of today’s students is largely based on technology; workplace culture is changing, with artificial intelligence eliminating jobs and creating new ones. Studying abroad can be, for many, the first step towards digital nomadism. It offers them the chance to tame the world and try a life different from the one their parents knew, and perhaps become the next digital nomads.
An international academic mobility is when a student goes to validate part of his studies abroad, while remaining attached to IMT-BS. An international academic stay is an international obligation of the school, and undoubtedly an asset for your academic career and your professional career.
The school supports and advises in the implementation of your project, particularly with regard to administrative, practical and financial aspects.
The homecoming blues: shall we talk about it?
The vast majority of students who go to study abroad are delighted with their experience. We often talk about the need to adapt during a study abroad stay, but few people talk about returning home. Be fully aware that returning can be as difficult as leaving your friends and family in the first place. Some people call it reverse culture shock .
Reverse culture shock can be a source of anxiety, especially for students who feel that their experience abroad has changed them, but their family and friends naturally expect them to be the same person they were before they left. It can also lead to feelings of guilt, because even though they are back, they may feel alienated and lonely themselves.
Reverse culture shock can take many forms. When you’re away from home, you tend to idealize what’s happening there. But life goes on while you’re studying abroad. Social media makes it easier to keep up, but “disconnecting” from family and friends can be a problem. It’s not uncommon for students to express disappointment at the lack of interest from others (family and friends) in their international experience.
Reverse culture shock is not inevitable! It is possible to overcome it very simply, but it is important to be aware of it.
Practical tips and tricks for a successful stay
Does the country you are going to require any special administrative procedures? Passport, visa, etc. make sure you take care of these in advance, as some documents require time to be prepared.
On the France Diplomatie website, you will find valuable advice for travelers, both on elements related to your own safety and on vaccinations and practical concerns.
Make a copy of the addresses abroad (school, accommodation etc.) and the routes you will take and communicate it to your family or friends so that you can be contacted in the event of an emergency.
Make sure you have insurance that will cover you in the event of a medical emergency abroad and that will pay for your repatriation if necessary.
Try to familiarize yourself with local laws. In some countries, it is better to know a minimum of the laws in force, especially if you plan to stay there for a few months.
Regardless of the mode of transport you choose, book it as far in advance as possible. Whether by plane, train or boat, transport to the host country is often cheaper if booked in advance.
Before you leave, take the time to learn about the country you’re heading to. From travel guides to online blogs, do your research and educate yourself!
Before you leave, find out about the content and organization of the courses you will be taking. In some countries, debates and discussions take precedence over lectures. This will allow you not to be destabilized once you are there.
Through social networks, try to get in touch with your future classmates, that is, the students who will be with you during your stay.