This past summer, 99 undergraduate students from over 29 countries came together at INSEAD’s Fontainebleau campus in France for a unique, immersive experience. Discover the stories, aspirations, and inspirations behind these future leaders as they share what drew them to the INSEAD Summer School and where they hope it will lead.
"It’s been a great experience. I’ve met so many people from completely different backgrounds, which is something you don’t often get in daily life."
Diane Lanson
Nationality: French
Diane is from Orléans, France, and recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Business in Paris. She joined this year’s INSEAD Summer School ahead of starting an MSc in Marketing and Management at EDHEC Business School.
One of her most memorable experiences was the early session with Professor Thomas Hellwig. “The outdoor activities really helped break the ice and brought us closer as a group. It was a different and very effective way to get to know each other, compared to simply sitting in a classroom,” says Diane.
"I’ve met so many people here, and I know those connections will be valuable in the future."
Markus Tokvam
Nationality: Norwegian
Markus is from Jøvik, a small town in Norway, and is currently finishing high school while working part-time as an AI consultant and agent builder. At 18, he is one of the youngest participants in this year’s INSEAD Summer School, joining to explore business before beginning university studies in economics.
One of his most memorable moments was the Give and Take exercise. “We shared something we needed help with, and others in the group offered advice, contacts or suggestions. People even wrote things down so we could follow up later. It really showed the power of the network we’ve built here,” says Markus.
"The Summer School has been short and intensive, but it’s made me want to explore certain areas in much more depth."
Keira Cumming
Nationality: British
Keira is from the UK and joined this year’s INSEAD Summer School after completing her third year studying Spanish and German at Oxford. Having spent the past year in Germany, she was keen to explore business as a possible career path.
One of her most memorable moments was the negotiations exercise. “I didn’t realise how challenging it could be until we were in the thick of it. At one point, we were negotiating with someone who was completely against everything we said. Having my team there to back me up made a huge difference. It was stressful but also really rewarding,” says Keira.
"You just don’t get that kind of hands-on experience in a normal university setting. "
William Liu
Nationality: Chinese
William is from Mengzi in southwestern China and is entering his final year of an electronic engineering degree at Central South University in Changsha. He joined the INSEAD Summer School to experience the business world first-hand and explore his long-standing interest in the MIM programme.
One of his most memorable experiences was the “First 100 Days” simulation. “It felt so real experiencing running a company from day one, making decisions, and seeing the impact play out. You just don’t get that kind of hands-on experience in a normal university setting,” says William.
Discover more INSEAD Summer School profiles here
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