From Curiosity to Clarity: A Summer @ HEC

What if two weeks could change everything?

At the HEC Paris Summer School, students from around the world come together to explore new subjects, sharpen their skills, and discover what truly drives them. Whether you're curious about finance, strategy, sustainability, or leadership, this immersive experience offers more than academic insight — it’s a chance to clarify your ambitions, connect with inspiring peers, and take bold steps toward your future. For many, it’s not just a summer program — it’s a turning point.

Such was the case for Anna, Sean and Emilie. We asked them to tell us more about their summer experience, how it influenced their choices and next steps, and determined where they are today.
 

Sean Chung
 

"Originally from Taiwan and with a background in literature, I travelled nearly 10,000 kilometres to attend the HEC Paris Summer School. I had always been interested in business, but I never imagined that two weeks could reshape my path so profoundly. I participated in the Corporate Finance course, where the combination of case studies, group projects, and presentations helped me understand finance from a practical and strategic perspective. I realised that finance is not merely numbers, but about making impactful decisions that shape companies and economies. That realisation sparked my determination to build a career in the financial industry.
Beyond the classroom, the program offered memorable experiences which immersed me in a truly international environment and led to friendships that lasted long after the program. I still remember one evening on the dorm balcony, sharing beers with my friend Matthieu, when I said, “I will come back to this school one day.” That conversation marked the moment I began planning my future and set my heart on returning to HEC to pursue my goals in finance. The friends I made at HEC later supported me through my application, helping with essays, mock interviews, and constant encouragement. 
This experience transcended the two weeks on campus; it became a lasting connection and the beginning of my journey back to HEC, where I am proud to be a Master in Management student today, committed to developing a career in finance."

Emilie Pezet

"The HEC Paris Summer School was a turning point for me - twice. I first came in 2023 for the Youth Leadership Initiative and discovered how much I enjoy leading in diverse teams, speaking up, giving and receiving feedback, and turning ideas into action. A lecture on relations between the US and China by Prof. Jeremy Ghez made Geopolitics feel practical, like a way to understand choices. That is when I decided to dive into Geopolitics, which led me to apply to Sciences Po Paris. 
In 2025 I returned for the Summer Program in Geopolitics, Globalization and Business Strategy, also taught by Prof. Ghez. Over two weeks, I led a case on UNHCR, mapping stakeholders, risks and trade-offs, and writing recommendations that could actually work. Doing this program between my first and second year at Sciences Po was truly enlightening. It has helped me connect my coursework with real world questions on displacement and humanitarian governance. Working with an international team sharpened everything. My framing was challenged, my briefs became tighter, and I learned to make solid calls with incomplete information and stand behind them. 
The Summer Program confirmed that I want to work where policy and strategy meet, and I use the tools from HEC every day; clear briefs, prioritization under uncertainty, and collaboration across cultures. In short, HEC helped me turn curiosity into direction, my direction."

Anna Jacob

"Motivated by an eye-opening experience during volunteer work in Mexico, I realized that achieving meaningful change would require both the right education and a strong network — resources that only a Master’s degree at a top business school could provide. As an International Business Administration student from a small university in Germany, I knew I had to take proactive steps to shape my academic journey. This determination brought me to a recruiting event where I met one of the HEC Recruitment Managers who encouraged me to explore their Summer Programs as a next step to discovering the HEC campus and pedagogy. Her support was instrumental — not only did she answer all my questions with great care, she also enabled me to realize my full potential. Shortly thereafter, I applied and was accepted into the HEC Paris Summer Program, ready to take the next step toward the  Sustainability and Social Innovation (SASI) degree program at HEC Paris.
The Summer School significantly boosted my self-confidence. I discovered that I could not only thrive in a highly diverse environment but also keep pace with students from prestigious institutions worldwide. Another key lesson was recognizing the importance of being in an engaging and supportive environment for personal growth, surrounded by ambitious peers and mentors.
Reflecting on my summer school experience, I recognize a remarkable transformation: from a slightly uncertain candidate on recruitment day to a confident summer school alumna, assured in my Master’s application and with a clear vision of what my future at HEC could hold."

A Final Thought From Anna

"Are you curious about what a Master’s degree at HEC Paris could offer? Or perhaps you are searching for an international experience that is not just educational but truly impactful? If this resonates with you, I highly recommend the HEC Paris Summer School. For me, it was a pivotal experience, and it could be just as transformative for you." 
 

Find out more about our Summer Programs