After completing my undergraduate degree in Cape Town, South Africa, my goal was to continue my studies in Europe. I wanted to pursue a Masters in Finance, before beginning my planned career in Finance, in either a bank or corporate company. I therefore, wanted to enrol in a programme which would give me exposure to both market, as well as corporate finance. Also, I wanted to find a programme which included coursework and a dissertation, taught entirely in English and which would provide the opportunity of meeting people of many different cultures from all over the world. EDHEC Business School provided the perfect environment in which to do this.

On arrival in France I immediately met people from many different backgrounds and nationalities. I was impressed at how modern the school was, with well equipped classrooms and a large amount of resources at my disposal. After graduating from a class with over 400 students in it in South Africa, I immediately appreciated the small class sizes and individual focus offered by EDHEC. Also, not only were the students from a diverse range of backgrounds, the professors were too.

I have been extremely lucky to be part of a class which is highly motivated and eager to learn. This enthusiasm, facilitated by the positive atmosphere of a small class, has made the learning experience extremely valuable as there have been many different class discussions and interactive group exercises, which add a new dimension. Also, apart from the ten focussed finance modules, we have had four modules which have helped develop invaluable skills, such as managerial, communication, leadership, and cultural skills. Having no French language background, I also had the opportunity of enrolling in a beginner's French course.

Not only is EDHEC interested in providing the best possible academic education, but also in providing top quality career guidance and assistance in the, often daunting, job search. Job forums are organised by the career centre, where companies present themselves and recruit on our campus. Apart from this, the careers centre also offers a wide range of other career services, from CV and assessment centre workshops, to personal career guidance, advice, and lists of potential job offers. I have found this service particularly useful and of a top class standard.

Being based in Nice couldn't have suited me better, from a personal and professional point of view. The warm weather and beaches have allowed for a relaxed atmosphere, as well as the ability to keep fit by running on the promenade along the beachfront. On the first weekend, the class organised a meet and greet on one of the beaches in Nice. This was a great opportunity to meet students from the other four MSc and the MBA class. There are ski resorts just over an hour away, which I visited few times during the winter. Nice is also easily accessible from the rest of Europe, making interviews with potential employers no problem.

EDHEC has broadened my horizons and opened up many doors to me which I didn't even know existed.