Hybrid MBA Adventures: July in France Highlights

July was an eventful time here in France. As an international student pursuing my hybrid MBA at the Paris-based International School of Management, I got to experience a lot of the excitement and anticipation firsthand. From sporting events to historical political decisions, France had a lot going on this month; here is a summary of the last few weeks!

Eurocup 2024

It is always great supporting a team on its home turf, and the beginning stages of this summer’s Eurocup final were no different as I joined local friends to watch France take its shot at a championship this year.

It would have been a historic Eurocup win had France made it to the finals and won on the country’s Bastille Day, but alas, France was kicked out by Spain in the semi-finals, making a July 14th win simply a nice fantasy.

However, it was still fun to watch the Spain versus England final of the Eurocup. As I live twenty minutes away from the border of France and Spain, there were plenty of supporters in every venue showing the match, and an exciting second half that led to victory for Spain.

Snap Elections

Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron called for snap parliamentary elections, three years earlier than scheduled, aiming to gain political clarity amid rising tensions and a surprising European parliamentary election result. However, the elections resulted in a deeply divided parliament with no party securing a majority, leading to unprecedented political chaos and uncertainty.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal even offered his resignation, but Macron requested he stay until a new government is formed. This political deadlock suggests prolonged negotiations and potential unrest, impacting the stability and governance of a divided France for months and possibly even years to come.

Olympics Preparation

As France gears up for the 2024 Paris Olympics at the end of the month, the city is undergoing significant infrastructural changes, including the construction of the Olympic Village and renovations of key venues like Stade de France. These preparations aim to ensure the city is ready for the influx of athletes, spectators, and media. However, the lead-up has been marred by political unrest following the snap parliamentary elections, resulting in a divided parliament with no clear majority. Protests and rioting have broken out, adding a layer of tension and uncertainty to the city's Olympic preparations.

Adding to the uncertainty, although not as drastic as the political unrest, is whether or not the city will follow through with its promise of making the Seine River swimmable by the start of the Games for its swimming events.

Despite this, the planning for the Games remains on track, with most logistical decisions already in place.

As I live in the southwest of France and am not near Paris at all, I have not seen these changes in my day-to-day life. But as an international MBA student, it is intriguing to read about how the Games are affecting businesses here in France. For example, the Air France-KLM Group estimates a loss of over $150 million in travel to and from Paris from June to August due to the event.

Le Tour de France

Before the Peloton craze of the early 2020s, there was the peloton – the main group of riders in a cycling race who stay close together to reduce wind resistance and conserve energy.

Source: Le Monde

Growing up, my dad had Le Tour de France – the most famous cycling race in the world for over 100 years – in the background every summer for as far back as I can remember. When I found out that one of the tour’s stages would be passing through not too far from where I live, it didn’t take long for my dad to decide to visit me around the time of the 13th stage so that we could watch it together in person.

All those summers of hearing the commentators in the background while I played with my siblings around the house during our summer breaks came full circle as my dad and I stood just meters from the finish line in Pau, waiting with anticipation as the riders came sprinting full speed towards us. Feeling the energy and excitement build in the crowd around us as the riders got closer and closer – 10 kilometers, 5 kilometers, 1 kilometer, 100 meters – and the riders whizzing past me at 60 kilometers per hour over the finish line was a moment I will never forget!