So, I bet some of you are wondering, "what is life like at HEC?" Well, I hope I can at least try to answer that question...
To begin, it would be helpful to know the background of the students who actually choose HEC for their full degree. The French students in the program I am in, the Masters of Science in Management degree, are essentially the smartest business students in France, if not all of Europe.
No joke - after high school they spend two years intensively (and I mean INTENSIVELY) studying mathematics and economics. After the two years of doing more or less nothing but preparing themselves for the one final test are up, they are ranked in order of performance.
Numbers 1-350 come to HEC. Each year, there are maybe 4-5 that choose to go to the number two business school in France, but most clearly chose HEC. The class size is then supplemented by about 200 or so international students.
Once here, they take one year of preparatory classes, then two years of business courses to receive their Masters of Science in Management. Not surprisingly, after working so hard for two years, the students more or less take it easy here. This isn't a problem however, as by graduating from HEC you are more or less guaranteed a job. HEC has been ranked the number one business school in Europe by the Financial Times for four years in a row. The average salary of a graduate in France is 46,951 Euros (about $70,000) and outside of France 58,729 Euros (about $87,500). Obviously, this school has quite a bit of a reputation for success. Compare this to the Carlson School, which has an average starting salary of $49,169, and you can see the difference.
In any case, they seem to have done an excellent job of recruiting teachers, as all of mine are very good. Speaking of teachers, here is a list of the classes I have, or will have (all classes are two hours long once per week, except French class, Financial Markets, and Accounting which are twice a week):
1. Financial Accounting - I have essentially already taken this class at Carlson, but here they use the International Financial Reporting Standards instead of the US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Thus there are a number of differences in how inventory is accounted for, etc. My teacher, ironically enough, is from America. Still trying to figure that one out.
2. French (in French, obviously) - This being a business school, we are learning quite a bit of related vocab. The teacher (along with other French teachers, evidently) doesn't speak English well. Thus, the class is conducted entirely in French but people still speak to each other in English during class.
3. Doing Business in Europe Today - Interesting, in that I don't know much about the European business environment and this course has been a good introduction so far. The professor is a very opinionated British man, and he has no qualms about sharing what he thinks of your country. He has also pointed out many of the issues with the EU, most of which I didn't really even realize existed.
4. Export and Project Finance - The professor worked for many different European banks over the course of his career in this subject. He is obviously French, so it is sometimes difficult to understand what he is saying. What's interesting is that neither export finance or project finance exist in the US at the level they do in the rest of the world for various reasons. So, I never would have had a chance to take a class like this back at Carlson. (By the way, export finance is when the government provides insurance or financing for goods being exported. Project finance consists of private companies providing funding for public projects like a bridge or dam. This is more popular in countries that don't have much public money for such projects, like Greece.)
5. Oral Expression - Techniques of Presentation (in French) - Well, you would think this class would be a breeze for me. And it would be if it was in English. But when you have to get up in front of the class and speak French instead, things like paying attention to posture, breathing, voice, etc. kind of get lost in the middle of conjugating verbs. Also, speaking English in class (even to another student) is a definitely not acceptable. Thus I would consider this my most difficult class so far. However, the professor is very good, and I also have her for...
6. French Grammar (in French) - An excellent review course of all the grammar I have learned so far. Undoubtedly we will move into things I haven't learned, but it has been useful as it has been far too long since I took my last intensive grammar course at the U. French professors at HEC also speak far faster than those in the US. Not surprisingly, this takes some getting used to.
7. Financial Markets - I don't know yet, as the class doesn't start until the first week in November. Supposed to be difficult, but we'll see.
8. Negotiation - A course that is three hours on Friday and eight hours on Saturday for two weekends in November. A friend who has the class now says that it's her favorite so far.
I have eight hours of class on Thursdays from 10:10am-7:50pm (with only a one hour break for lunch, and ten mins between classes) so they kind of stink. Not to mention all six straight hours after lunch are in French. I don't have class on Fridays (woot!) and Tuesdays not until 5:50pm, so that's good.
I took some pictures of HEC, so watch for those in the next couple of days!
