‘This experience abroad changed me, made me stronger, more confident, humbler and more respectful.’ These could be my words, as an international student in France 15 years ago, but they come from Alice, an ISCOM student on an academic exchange programme in Sweden. They perfectly illustrate our firm belief that international experience plays a seminal role in shaping the communicators of today, forging the curious and open-minded spirit of entrepreneurs who have the world at their feet. You will have multiple opportunities to immerse yourself in other cultures and encounter other realities, thanks to international programmes and professional and academic experiences abroad on work placements, on academic Erasmus+ exchanges, or through collaborative tasks or joint programmes developed in association with our international partners. The new generation of communicators are citizens of the world who stand out thanks to the humility acquired through international experience.’
Elena Mansurova – Director of International Relations
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ISCOM, AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION SCHOOL
In the globalised markets of today’s world, a growing number of businesses are developing their communication on a world scale. ISCOM prepares students to manage the international environment, and its Grande Ecole programme provides international courses and academic or professional opportunities abroad in the form of work placements, ERASMUS study exchanges or joint programmes developed by international university partners.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION, A SPECIALISATION TAUGHT FULLY IN ENGLISH
Thanks to digitalisation and globalisation, brands can now have easier access to international visibility, hire multicultural teams and reach customers the world over. The challenges of international and intercultural communication form a potential concern for all businesses. As a school with its finger on the pulse of the communication sector, ISCOM spotted this trend at an early stage, and as of 2007 opened a 100% English-language specialisation, ‘International Communication’, within its Grande Ecole programme. Its aim is to train communication professionals capable of rising to these challenges. The discovery of numerous cultures and the development of soft skills which enable new approaches to communication form the core of this programme led by international teams of teachers and professionals.
DISCOVER THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION PROGRAMME
AT NEW YORK STATE UNIVERSITY, NYC
In September 2022, the joint 2-year programme developed with New York State University and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) USA, opened to a cohort of 24 students, from FIT and ISCOM, between Paris and New York. To add to the teaching experience and multicultural learning, the programme also plans to offer work placements in companies in both continents.
AT WINTHROP UNIVERSITY, SOUTH CAROLINA
Following validation of the 3rd year at ISCOM, students have access to the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing offered by Winthrop University in South Carolina. Once graduated, students who so wish can avail of a 1-year paid work placement in a company, then enter the University’s AACSB-accredited College of Business MBA.
A SEMESTER DEVOTED TO INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
ACADEMIC EXCHANGES
A signatory of the Erasmus + Charter since 2014, ISCOM actively participates in the international exchange activities fostered within and beyond this European programme. Bilateral partnerships outside of the Erasmus programme with higher education institutions enable us to broaden the choice of destinations and experiences on offer to students. Thanks to an active network of more than 60 international partners, ISCOM students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester and thus enrich their portfolio of professional, linguistic and soft skills.
‘Hi there! My name is Audrey and I’m a student at ISCOM Lyon. I went to Utrecht, in the Netherlands, on an Erasmus programme. Despite the remote classes, it was really easy and fun to meet up with the Erasmus community during the semester. It may be a small city, but it’s so lively. My first piece of advice would be to enter the university without the slightest preconception and try to take part in as many activities as possible! It’s an experience which can only be positive.’ Audrey GEERAERTS, 3rd year student, Grande Ecole programme, ISCOM Lyon campus.
OVERSEAS WORK PLACEMENTS
In order to foster their mobility, the overseas work placement is compulsory for our 3rd year students. This international experience over one semester allows them to practise a foreign language and discover a new cultural and work environment.
‘Going abroad is an enriching and instructive experience which is really worth doing. Things are always a little daunting at first, but it’s a unique and unforgettable adventure. You meet wonderful people, discover new cultures and new ways of working. It’s also a way to become more independent, and for me, a courageous undertaking, because it’s not always easy to find yourself alone, thousands of kilometres away from the family nest. So if you have the opportunity to go, don’t think twice!’ Lilou Mathé, 3rd year student, Grande Ecole programme, ISCOM Bordeaux, on a work placement with Masion Atia New York, USA.
AN INTEGRAL FACTOR OF TEACHING
In addition, numerous teaching activities are led in both French and English.
· Professional immersion week in international communication in 1st year
· Meetings, conferences and workshops during the International Days in 2nd and 3rd year.
· Audacity Week professional event in 5th year
· Collaborative activities with European and international academic partners
· International challenges
· Specialisation teaching through foreign languages, in addition to foreign language and civilisation classes.
· Seminars led by international expert speakers
Lastly, ISCOM is an approved centre for TOEIC, an official and widely-renowned test of mastery in professional English. The TOEIC exam session is open to 2nd or 3rd year students, and allows them to take the test in the more reassuring surroundings of their own school.