ESSCA School of Management 2024

 

In August 2024 we returned to Paris, Angers, Strasbourg, Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux and Lyon to give 1,654 new Business Management undergraduates the skills and self-confidence to do things they never thought they could. 

The teenagers got skilled up while experiencing social impact firsthand; built bonds with each other, while building much-needed infrastructure for people in need. 

Marie Courtois, Director of Student Experience, said: 

“The objective of the week is to welcome our new first-year students into a completely different and impactful context.  

“They are asked to build sustainable structures for medical-educational institutes, sheltered accommodation facilities, and nursing homes that will benefit children, adults, young adults with disabilities, or people with dementia, making their daily lives much more pleasant. 

“Their Project Management course takes place in semester one. So, the Splash Project takes place on day one of their course. When they return to class, they will be able to debrief, talk, and reflect on the experience of working in a group, leading a project, and successfully completing a project.” 

Project management in action

Over four days, a total of 28 Splash Projects facilitators worked with the students, all aged 17 and 18, across six campuses. It was the fourth year we’ve facilitated projects over six sites in the same week with ESSCA.  

Through their Splash Project, the students had the chance to experience the practical and logistical challenges of project management; a key component of their five-year or three-year Business Management degree courses.  

Go-karting with a Purpose

New for 2024 was a fourth day, ‘Go-karting with a Purpose’, whereby 540 students across all the sites split up into teams of eight and raced to build a go-kart together, took it on a test run, and then dismantled their vehicle and recycled it, using the components to build garden items for the charities.  

Learning Objectives

All our projects with business schools fulfil the learning objectives specified by the establishments, including:    

• Bonding over a purposeful initiative. 

• Building a learning environment and foster a sense of community. 

• Facilitating the step change to higher education. 

• Creating a link to the corporate world. 

• Engaging with global challenges and local impact. 

• Experiencing inclusion leadership. 

• Living the values of the business school. 

 All of this while fulfilling at least one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 1, 3, 4, 10 and 17 – and being fun!  

Here is what they built: 

Paris  

Where:  

Fondation Léopold Bellan: ESAT Montesson offers personalised and adapted support for individuals with mental disorders and intellectual disabilities to carry out full-time employment and develop their autonomy and independent living.  

What:  

477 students built a growing garden with raised planters, fencing, seating and pergolas.  

Aix-en-Provence  

Where:  

The Institut des Parons is a boarding or semi-boarding school for children and adolescents, aged between six and 20 years’ old with intellectual disabilities, with or without associated disorders, or with autism. The institute also runs a unit for up to 20 elderly people.   

What:  

125 students built various planting areas, covered seating, a shed and compost bins to enhance the lives of the elderly patrons.  

Angers  

Where:  

Part of the Handicap d’Anjou group, the FAM Les Trois Rivières provides permanent accommodation and support for 30 motor-impaired adults with Cerebral Palsy.  

What:  

430 students built 32 brise soleil pergolas for the residents’ apartments.  

Bordeaux  

Where:  

IME de Pessac Alouette is a specialised educational centre for children, adolescents and young adults aged between six and 20 years’ old. 

What:  

175 students developed the centre’s garden space and create shaded seating in other areas of the grounds. 

Strasbourg  

Where:  

IME Eurometropole (ARSEA) Site Roethig supports children with autism to retain autonomy and independent living.   

What:  

52 students built an outdoor pergola with an integrated sand play area and storage units.  

Lyon 

Where: 

ALGED – ESAT Hélène Rivet supports 154 people with learning disabilities to help them gain self-respect and self-esteem in full time employment.   

What:   

395 students built shaded seating on the first-floor terrace and an all-weather shelter in front of the building.