The MSc in International Business and Diplomacy class, based on the Paris campus, headed out for a fascinating week-long trip to Madrid. This trip was an incredible learning experience both from an academic and a personal standpoint. It was a special opportunity to experience Spain’s dynamic capital, deepen our class relationships, and gain knowledge for our future diplomatic careers.
Discovering Madrid: A City of Culture and Energy
We spent a memorable week in Madrid‘s vibrant Chueca neighborhood, where the city’s energy immediately swept us up. Arriving well before the seminar started gave us time to explore Madrid’s renowned nightlife, filled with dancing, laughter, and the joy of forming lasting bonds. The weekend also brought opportunities to admire Madrid’s rich cultural heritage, from iconic terraces to landmarks like El Prado and Museo Reina Sofàa. A visit to Segovia added a magical touch, with its ancient Roman aqueduct and fairy-tale castle providing a striking contrast to Madrid’s cosmopolitan charm, making the “tourist” part of the experience truly unforgettable.
Museo Del Prado – Madrid
The Academic Highlights: Learning Beyond Borders
Once we hit the books, we spent the entire week in intercultural management seminars at the ESCP Madrid campus. These engaging classes provided perspectives on how cultural differences impact negotiations, diplomacy, and workplace interactions. The teachers made the sessions interesting and relevant by skillfully combining theory with real-world situations.
Personally, my favourite part was the class with a special game designed to understand different cultures by being divided into two teams, separated in different classrooms. Each team had their own special rules regarding their way to interact with each other, while the purpose was to guess the other team’s rules. Regarding my team, we were living in a matriarchy, and men had special rules to interact with women. We also had a matriarch, Malak, who made sure that rules were respected, and we had to be especially respectful to her.
Our Thursday evening visit to the French Embassy in Madrid was an exceptional experience. Aymeric Chuzeville, second in command, provided his knowledge of the unique diplomatic connection between France and Spain. The discussion provided insight into the nuances and complexity of diplomatic work, for example the protocol that different cultures have at the beginning of a formal negotiation. In some countries it is expected to exchange niceties for several minutes to break the ice, whereas in others they get right to the point at hand. He made a lasting impression by stressing the value of developing trust, cultural awareness, and open communication.
Takeaways from Madrid: Lessons for Life and Career
This trip was a signiï¬cant moment that went far beyond a week of classes and tourism. Personally, it helped me strengthen my relationship with my classmates, dismantling barriers and promoting solidarity. From late-night chats to ï¬nding hidden gems in Madrid, the shared experiences forged relationships that will last long after the Master programme.
Being on-site gave the course more depth academically. It was really helpful to learn about multicultural management in Madrid, a city that skillfully combines local culture with influences from around the world. It gave the theories context and vitality that a classroom setting could not deliver.
Another highlight was meeting experts like Mr. Chuzeville. His expertise illustrated how our studies are applied to a real-world context and emphasized the value of flexibility, compassion, and open-mindedness in diplomatic relations. His recommendation to always approach cultural differences with curiosity rather than judgment—a notion that will direct my career—was one of the most signiï¬cant insights I learned.
About the author:
Octave Broudehoux has a BSc in Politics and International Relations from University College London (UCL) and is currently pursuing a Master degree in International Business and Diplomacy at ESCP. Originally from France, he has a strong interest in global governance, international institutions, and diplomacy. Alongside his studies, he serves as the National Financial Coordinator of CISV France, an international NGO affiliated with UNESCO and the Council of Europe, where he contributes to fostering cross-cultural understanding and youth engagement.
