At ESCP, international exposure is not optional; it is a core indicator of a candidate’s ability to thrive in a highly multicultural learning environment. With multiple campuses and constant collaboration across cultures, the school values students who can adapt, work in diverse teams and think globally. This is why international experience is a central part of the application process. It allows admissions teams to assess how well candidates will integrate into an international cohort and their potential to work with global organisations during and after the programme.
As Muriel Grandjean, European Associate Director for Admissions and Business Development, explains, international experiences shape how candidates collaborate, adapt and think. What matters is not only where a candidate has been, but how those experiences have influenced their mindset and behaviour. When completing the “International Experience” section, applicants should look beyond holidays and include time spent living, studying, working or volunteering abroad. As a general guideline, experiences lasting more than seven days should be listed, while shorter trips should only be included if they were truly formative. Candidates who have not yet lived abroad can still demonstrate a global mindset by highlighting meaningful local experiences involving interaction with people from different cultural backgrounds.
International experience should not be presented as a list of destinations. Even applicants with fewer long stays abroad can stand out by being authentic and reflective. Mikael Ziade, MSc in Biopharmaceutical Management Class Representative, explains that what strengthened his application was remaining true to who he is, what he believes in and what he aims to achieve next. In many cases, depth, honesty and intention resonate more strongly than the number of countries visited.
What “International Experience” Really Means
International experience can take many forms. While an internship abroad is a strong example, it is far from the only one. Relevant experiences include:
- Academic exchanges and study-abroad programmes
- Gap years involving travel, work or volunteering
- Volunteering or humanitarian initiatives
- International case competitions and cross-border projects
- Involvement in multicultural or internationally focused student associations
Long-term cultural immersion, dual nationality or growing up between cultures can also be strong assets when clearly explained.
Alan Zha, MSc in International Project Management student ambassador, illustrates this diversity by explaining how he highlighted experiences working with international colleagues and travelling in different cultural contexts. What links all meaningful international experiences is not their format, but the mindset they develop, including curiosity, cultural awareness and the ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.
From Experience to Impact
Admissions committees assess international exposure through several elements of the application, primarily the CV, the personal statement and the interview. Each plays a specific role, and strong applications ensure that international experience remains visible, meaningful and concrete throughout the process.
On the CV, international experience should stand out clearly. Locations, dates and responsibilities must be explicit so that reviewers can identify global exposure at a glance. Mathilda Kools, Master in Management student ambassador, recommends a simple, clear and honest one-page CV, supported by concrete responsibilities and, when possible, measurable impact. Admissions teams should not have to search for international experience or infer it from vague descriptions.
The motivation letter is where experiences gain meaning. Rather than repeating information from the CV, applicants should select a few key moments and explain what they learned from them. This may involve describing how they navigated cultural misunderstandings or different communication styles, how they adapted to new academic or professional environments, or how international exposure helped clarify long-term career goals.
Christina Sarkis, Master in Management student ambassador, emphasises that every experience included in the motivation letter should support the candidate’s motivation for the programme and connect logically to professional ambitions. This section also offers an opportunity to demonstrate how the applicant intends to contribute to ESCP, whether through involvement in student associations, ambassador roles or effective participation in multicultural group work.
Authenticity matters more than perfect wording. As Mathilda Kools notes, there is no ideal or linear path; what matters is the ability to explain personal choices and the lessons drawn from them. Mikael Ziade similarly encourages applicants to highlight their values and motivations, rather than focusing solely on academic achievements or the number of internships completed.
Bringing International Experience to Life in the Interview
During interviews, international experience becomes convincing when supported by concrete examples. Candidates are encouraged to prepare a few short stories that demonstrate:
- Adaptability in unfamiliar or multicultural environments
- Teamwork with people from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds
- Self-awareness and the ability to reflect on personal growth
According to Mathilda Kools, the interview is designed to confirm that the applicant genuinely reflects the profile presented in the application and shows real enthusiasm for the programme. Christina Sarkis adds that professionalism is essential, including punctuality, composure when faced with difficult questions and a polite closing. Alan Zha also stresses the importance of honesty about how one works with others, as international cohorts naturally test and strengthen collaboration skills.
What Admissions Teams Really Look For
Admissions committees do not evaluate international experience based on destinations alone. What matters most is the candidate’s ability to reflect on learning outcomes and explain how international exposure has shaped their mindset and behaviour. As Muriel Grandjean explains, the key lies in demonstrating openness, adaptability and the ability to work with diverse profiles.
In practice, admissions teams look for:
- Evidence of reflection and personal insight
- The ability to adapt to unfamiliar contexts
- Effective collaboration across cultures
- Clear signs of personal and professional development
- Coherence between past experiences, programme choice and future ambitions
When international exposure and long-term goals align, the application gains clarity, depth and credibility.
Final Takeaways
To make international experience stand out, candidates should shift the focus from where they went to who they became and what they can contribute. By making global exposure visible in the CV, meaningful in the motivation letter and vivid in the interview through precise examples, applicants can demonstrate their readiness to thrive within ESCP’s international community.