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Tyanne kayaking with friends in Toulouse

Visiting a street market in Toulouse

Tyanne on a daytrip with friends from the study abroad programme

Tyanne Williams is a final year Marketing and Management BSc student. Last summer she studied French Business Culture and Neuromarketing at and finished with an overall A. We catch up to discover how this experience has shaped her as she completes her final year at the Business School.

Discovering the Toulouse Summer School
Keen to work in the travel industry, I thought a study abroad opportunity would be good for me. I would get to experience living in another country and learn more about their culture, all whilst still studying towards my degree. I also thought the experience could help prepare me for my final year.

I wasn't able to commit to a whole year abroad, so opted for the summer school, as it would still allow me to experience studying at a different university outside of the UK.

After seeing a Canvas announcement about European summer school opportunities, I decided to apply. I was invited to an information session to explore the different universities and modules on offer, and was immediately captivated by the idea of studying French Business Culture and Neuromarketing at Toulouse Business School in the south of France.

The application process was straightforward and we were offered lots of support from the outset, including advice on what to write to give us the best chance of being accepted onto the programme.

Sussex organised further informative sessions to ensure all students were well-prepared for the experience of studying and living abroad. They also provided significant financial assistance, and without this, I wouldn't have been able to take this opportunity.

Exploring French business and study culture
French Business Culture was fascinating, especially since I had chosen to focus on studying UK-based companies during my first and second year. The main difference is the consumers and learning the different cultural values. Ironically, our French Business Culture sessions were led by an English Tutor from Sussex. This gave us a unique and relevant insight, as she recounted her own experience of adapting to French Culture and embracing life in Toulouse.

Something that has stayed with me is the French value of work-life balance. Where we might have one to three classes a day at Sussex, their days are structured more like compulsory school days 9am-5pm, which I personally found to be a more beneficial way of learning.

The French work hard, but also put boundaries in place for their time off. For instance, if you were to arrange a business meeting at lunchtime, they are likely to decline it. They are also less likely to work overtime as they work so hard during the day, valuing their relaxation time as well as having a strong work ethic.

Rainy days and unexpected adventures
Reflecting the French work ethic, Toulouse Business School ensured we also had some down-time, planning a range of extracurricular events and activities to make us feel welcome.

On one of the days, they organised a kayaking trip followed by a lunch. The kayaking was a lot more fast-paced than I thought it would be. There was a bit of a steep drop at one point, where we all fell out and I lost my hat in the river! It was really fun though and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

As well as kayaking, we also experienced chocolate and wine tasting, helping us to get to know our new surroundings.
It was a funny moment when all of us realised we had only packed our summer clothes as it was June – and we were expecting sunshine – only for it to rain the whole time we were there. Soon after arriving, we went to a festival and everyone's shoes were soaked because it was constantly raining, but we still had a great time.

Learning from my study abroad experience
This experience has broadened my skill set and deepened my understanding of international marketing. I now feel equipped with invaluable insights into business culture that I have carried forward into my final year of study.

I have used this new insight to help decide the area of marketing I want to focus on for my dissertation. Studying abroad also helped when choosing assignments, as I knew more about the French industry, so comparing businesses was easier as I had that first-hand experience.

Embracing opportunities
Studying in a different cultural and academic environment was challenging. In particular, studying on my own in an unfamiliar country was a nerve-wracking concept, but the Toulouse Business School was so supportive. It wasn’t long before I was embracing this new experience, feeling at home and making new friends.

I now have the confidence to work abroad in the future. After university, I aspire to work in the travel industry and this experience has re-affirmed my plans. I loved learning about the new cultures, tasting new foods, and meeting people from all around the world. I made great friends – who I remain in contact with today – so it has provided me with a global network of support that I can draw upon in the future.

Considering study abroad? Here’s my advice
If you’re thinking about applying for a summer school, my advice would be to just do it! It’s a great alternative if you can’t commit to an entire year abroad, and provides an amazing opportunity for personal and professional growth. You might feel scared, but the university provides lots of support along the way. Everyone is in the same situation so you never feel alone, and you can explore your new environment together.

Taking the opportunity to study in the south of France was truly amazing and something I am grateful to have experienced. It's a memory that I'll cherish for a lifetime, despite the unexpected rain and lost hats along the way. I was able to live out my Emily in Paris dream, but this time it was 'Tyanne in Toulouse'.