Students from around the world explored management education, career skills, and the vibrant city of Turin during a two-week immersive programme.
This July, ESCP Business School welcomed 50 high school students from 20 countries to its Turin Campus for an intensive two-week International Summer School, held from 7 to 18 July 2025. Aimed at curious and ambitious young minds aged 16–18, the programme offered participants an early insight into business education while nurturing a spirit of global citizenship.
The initiative marked the first time ESCP organised its Summer School in Turin, further strengthening the campus’s role in promoting international learning experiences at all academic levels.
An Academic Journey into the World of Business
Through a multidisciplinary curriculum led by ESCP Turin Campus faculty, students were introduced to key topics in management and entrepreneurship. The academic content included modules in Marketing & Consumer Behaviour, Finance, Interpersonal Skills at Work, and the Accelerated Innovation Lab: Igniting Ideas for Change.
Professors Gaia Giambastiani, Alessandro Lanteri, Marie-Catherine Mignault and Silvia Dalla Fontana guided students through sessions designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and communication, fundamental skills for future business leaders.
In addition to academic learning, the programme featured hands-on workshops such as Public Speaking, Time Management in the Age of AI, and CV and cover letter training, helping students gain confidence and prepare for future educational and career opportunities.
Business Meets Culture: Exploring Turin Beyond the Classroom
The Summer School offered far more than classroom learning, it provided an authentic and dynamic experience of Turin as a city of innovation, history, and cultural richness.
The first company visit took place at MiScusi, an innovative restaurant chain reimagining the Italian pasta tradition. After a team lunch, students took part in a pasta-making workshop and a business challenge to develop their own pasta factory concept, blending entrepreneurship with culinary creativity.
At the Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper, students were hosted by the IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division, who delivered a hands-on introduction to investment banking through case-based learning and interactive discussions, showing students the real dynamics of the finance sector.
Another key moment was the visit to Green Pea, the world’s first retail park dedicated to sustainability. After a guided tour of the centre, students met the CEO, who shared the brand’s founding vision, redefining retail to protect the planet and inspire responsible consumerism.
A visit to OGR Tech, Turin’s innovation hub housed in a former railway workshop, gave students a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge tech ventures and start-ups. The tour illustrated how historic spaces can be transformed into engines of digital innovation and collaborative enterprise.
Students also discovered the city’s cultural heritage through a guided walking tour of Turin’s historic centre, exploring key landmarks and learning about the city’s architectural evolution, urban identity, and royal past.
A few days later, they visited the Basilica of Superga, arriving by the historic cogwheel train. The visit offered the chance to discover one of Turin’s most iconic religious and historical landmarks, located in a unique panoramic setting overlooking Turin and the Alps.
They also explored the National Cinema Museum, housed inside the Mole Antonelliana, one of Italy’s most iconic cultural landmarks and a symbol of the city of Turin. The museum offered an engaging journey through the history of film, from early animation devices to contemporary cinema, with interactive exhibits and immersive installations that fascinated students of all interests.
To round off their experience, students took part in a rowing session on the Po River, one of Turin’s most traditional sports. Guided by professional instructors, the activity encouraged teamwork, coordination, and resilience, while offering a fun and active break from classroom learning.
A Platform for Growth and Global Connection
By combining academic content, professional development, and cultural exploration, the Summer School offered a comprehensive introduction to ESCP’s educational approach, rooted in internationalism, innovation, and responsibility.
Career orientation sessions run by ESCP’s Careers Centre encouraged students to reflect on their goals and begin shaping their future academic and professional pathways. Throughout the programme, a sense of community emerged among students, who formed strong intercultural bonds through learning, teamwork, and shared experiences.
Prof. Alberta Di Giuli, Dean of the ESCP Turin Campus, reflected on the success of the programme: “This first edition, which attracted students from every continent, confirmed the strong desire among young people to engage with a truly international environment. Welcoming them to Turin means fostering meaningful exchanges, opening up new perspectives, and offering a first, significant access point to European managerial culture.”
Lasting Impressions
Participants left the Summer School with fresh perspectives, practical skills, and unforgettable memories. Some described the experience as a turning point in their academic journey, a moment that broadened their horizons and inspired long-term ambitions. To reflect the diversity and depth of the experience, we share here the voices of three students who took part in the programme:
“I’d recommend this experience to other students because you learn not only about business, but also how to balance your time better — to study, rest and enjoy life. And you meet people from all over the world, which helps you step out of your bubble.” — Diane El Haj, 16-year-old, from Lebanon.
“This experience helped me realise my interest in marketing — I’ve always loved writing, and I discovered they’re connected. I also overcame my fear of finance. The academic support and interactive classes made it all clearer and more engaging.” — Zikun Qin, aged 17, from China.
“What I’ll remember most is meeting people from everywhere — my group had friends from Poland, New Zealand, China and France. I became more confident, more open, and even discovered rowing, which was a really fun challenge!” — Chloé Marchesseau, 17-year-old French student living in Hong Kong.
As the Summer School came to a close, what remained were the smiles, the stories, and the sense of shared discovery. For many students, it was their first step into the world of business and international education, a meaningful experience they will carry with them for years to come.
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