What I’ve experienced at the INSEAD Summer Schooll has exceeded anything I imagined.
Sebastian El-Droubi
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m 20 years old and one of the younger students at INSEAD Summer School. I was born in Australia, then moved to Lebanon for six or seven years, and later returned to Australia, where I’ve lived most of my life.
I speak Arabic, French, English, and the Sicilian dialect of Italian. I’m in my final semester at the University of Technology Sydney, studying Business Finance and Management. I also work as a personal trainer and really enjoy meeting new people and learning from different perspectives.
How are you finding France and Fontainebleau?
I love it. I’ve been to France a few times before, but this time has been special. The people are amazing, and Fontainebleau is fantastic. The Château stood out, though I only saw it properly during a run yesterday. I thought I’d be exploring more, but we’re so busy studying all day, socialising all night, then sleeping and repeating. It’s been a lot of fun.
Why did you decide to join the summer school?
I didn’t have any connections to INSEAD, but I was looking for ways to strengthen my CV and grow my network.
I researched MBA programmes and summer schools, and INSEAD consistently came up as a top option in Europe for business.
After speaking to friends in Australia and London, I decided to apply. I’ve done leadership and entrepreneurship programmes before, but this one has been on a different level. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and gives you practical tools and insights that are directly applicable. Every person I’ve met here has taught me something new.
Can you share an example of something practical you’ve learned?
On the second day, we covered negotiation tactics such as how to structure a negotiation, present yourself, and lead the discussion. For example, we learned that making the first offer often gives you an advantage, with a 60% chance of ending up closer to your goal.
Another standout was the cultural mapping session with Simone Eva Rudrupp. We explored how different cultures communicate, for example, how Nordic cultures value directness, while Middle Eastern and Asian cultures tend to be more indirect. Silence, tone and timing all vary across regions, and it really opened my eyes.
Did you have expectations for the programme, and were they met?
I didn’t come in with specific expectations, but what I’ve experienced has exceeded anything I imagined.
In past leadership programmes, the focus was mostly on pitching and networking, which come quite naturally to me. Here, we’re learning real skills, gaining access to amazing resources, and building genuine connections. And on a side note, as someone who went to boarding school, the food here has been a pleasant surprise!
Do you feel you’ve grown during this short time?
It’s only been eight days, but I’ve learned a lot. The cultural awareness and negotiation insights alone will stick with me. I’m quite social, and I think I’ve connected with almost everyone here. I’ve made strong friendships, and we have a group that goes out to dinner every night. It’s a great mix of people.
Tell us about your journey from Australia.
It was long! I asked someone how far they thought it was, and they said eight hours. I said, try 25! But I made the most of it. I stopped in London, then went to the Netherlands, Morocco, Spain, and finally arrived here.
It’s been amazing to meet people from all those countries along the way. I wish I’d met some of the INSEAD students before visiting their countries!
Would you recommend the INSEAD Summer School?
Absolutely. I have zero regrets. Even if you’re paying for it yourself, it’s completely worth it. Money comes back, but experiences like this don’t, and this one keeps evolving.
The timing has been great, with time to learn, socialise, and explore. Whether you’re 18 or 25, there’s something valuable here.
