Student Stories
For the last 20 years, I have worked as a senior executive as a Finance Director and then as a Managing Director after completing my MBA in Innovation and Technology. I wanted to ensure that in my journey as an executive leader, I mastered the social skills and emotional intelligence that leaders need in the C-suite.
I conducted research for a year to...
I have tremendously enjoyed my academic experience at ISM and can truly recommend it to all those hard working business minded individuals who have the drive for success and achievements.
The ISM allowed me to conduct research at Governmental level namely in the fields of OPCW and CSDP that might not be available in other academic institutions and for...
The PHD program at ISM is highly distinguished. In general, course structure, subject matter, and materials of the DBA courses are very contemporary and cover critical issues. More specifically, the finance courses that I completed whether in Paris or on-line were both interesting and challenging. the assignments, mainly of on-line courses, were...
I was looking for higher education institutions that allowed me to continue to work as a busy financial professional and study overseas. I believe ISM is the only institution that offers this flexibility. Prior to joining ISM, I was a young professional trying to build my practice in wealth management.
I have had the best experience at ISM. I take...
"I feel that this is such an international experience. Now I'm making personal friends from countries ranging from Egypt to Singapore to Portugal to Nigeria and because we are sharing so much of our professional experiences, we are developing professionally as well. We are sharing not just problems and finishing papers for class, we are actually...
Between my teaching schedule with both daytime and evening classes, my family, and the frequent travel I do leading study abroad programs, I needed a PhD program with maximum flexibility. Living in Los Angeles, of course I had plenty of schools I could choose from. But it was a much better use of my time to fly to classes every couple months and finish...
Prior to my enrollment at ISM, I had a well-rounded career as an engineer and management consultant in the United States. While working as a management consultant, I was frequently traveling, mostly domestically in the United States, and increasingly doing work which I no longer found interesting or challenging. There was an aspect of consulting which...
I graduated from ISM with a PhD in International Business Management, specializing in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Graduating in 2021 fulfilled a lifelong dream.
My confidence as a scholar skyrocketed as the training equipped me to make informed contributions to any discourse, regardless of the discipline. The consequential increase in social...I found the participants, at the ISM NY Program at St. John's University, an inspirational network of future leaders and self-investors. The professors and students, gathered under one roof for several weeks, provided a world class learning environment. The entire time spent in NY was - in the words of Shakespeare - "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
In 2005, while I was living in Shanghai, I decided to pursue a doctoral degree to further my passion for teaching. Before enrolling at ISM, I did extensive research on accredited institutions, exploring which programs would offer the best combination of location flexibility and robust academic curriculum. There was only one program that fit my...
The decision to start a doctoral program was not easy. However, I enjoyed the study and travelling to China, Paris, New York and Brazil to mingle with all the high quality cohorts and lecturers.
The decision to enroll in the ISM PhD in Business Administration was an interesting journey for me. I started to look for a suitable program in 2012. I...
I have always studied while working, so when a fellow scholar mentioned ISM, I felt I was ready to take on that challenge. I started in fall 2019 and every interaction with ISM was smooth and friendly. I was looking forward to taking some courses in Paris and going to my hometown of NYC to take some courses there too.
As I joined...
I thoroughly enjoyed the Advanced Corporate Strategy seminar. Professor Weber was truly inspiring and he made this seminar interesting and motivating. His style of teaching brought out the best in the students, and the classroom format was an excellent mix of lectures, discussion, case studies and student presentations.
The materials covered in the...
Prior to joining ISM, I had done thorough research. I had compared the ISM PhD program with various universities from Europe. According to my personal research, the ISM PhD program was the most comprehensive in terms of professional development and teaching methodology. Moreover, I had contacted numerous ISM alumni and from every single resource, I...
I am a PhD candidate in International Business Management with a specialization in Finance, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. I hold an MBA from GIBS and have thirty years of corporate experience in the mining sector, having worked with diamonds, platinum, coal, and gold. My area of expertise is sustainability, and I currently work for a gold mining...
I knew that I didn’t want to leave my work for an extended amount of time. One of the things that I value about ISM is their flexibility in allowing us to essentially have the condensed modules where you're on site for three to four days at a time to take a course. I found it very helpful that you can break your coursework into manageable amounts so...
My education at ISM has been instrumental in my personal and professional development. The rigorous PhD program equipped me with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in International Management, specializing in finance. The faculty members at ISM were not only experts in their fields but also dedicated mentors who guided me through complex...
The thing that first inspired me to apply to ISM was the flexibility and ability to attend courses in different countries. Prior to starting the program, I was working in academic business providing executive educational solutions and also teaching academic courses for level 3-7.
It was a brilliant experience meeting different lecturers from...
ISM offered the only part-time PhD program in Europe at the time, and the program’s flexibility allowed me to study and work in parallel. From the very first class, there was an aura of celebration and a euphoric exchange of knowledge that continued in all ISM courses, creating an amazing feeling that I will never forget.
While studying, I attended...
In 2013, I knew that I needed a higher academic license in order for me to accede to a choice position within my field of Electronic Engineering Technology. The competition is usually fierce in that environment and getting a PhD degree is what I needed to make me a good candidate for any executive promotion. Because I was under the obligation to be...
After years of taking care of my family, I wanted to go back to school to earn my PhD and begin teaching. I wanted to be at an International School, to learn both locally and internationally.
I looked into many options, however, ISM was different. Matthew Werner, ISM Executive Director, took an interest in me, as person, and not as just another...
I was first introduced to ISM when I was searching for high-ranking business schools. ISM’s ranking, global perspective, and the advanced elective courses the school offers inspired me to become a part of the ISM community. I had already received my Master's degree in Healthcare Management from the Royal College of Surgeons, National University of...
I am incredibly fortunate to have pursued my PhD at ISM Paris. The level of care and interaction I received from the faculty, across academic disciplines is unrivaled. ISM has prepared me to be a good colleague and was personally enriching to myself despite living miles away from the school. I know that the “open door” policy shared by many faculty...
I have a great deal of appreciation for the experience studying in the ISM PhD program provides me. The professors and students coming from all over the world are an invaluable resource to my professional and personal growth. I am particularly impressed by the New York summer session at St. John's University, where I had the opportunity to study at an...
Strength and diversity across international markets should be the school’s mission statement --helping students really become students of the world.
Having worked in the financial industry for eight years and taught business statistics at University of Hong Kong for another six years, I find the ISM PhD program an ideal platform to further my...
My name is Oluwatimilehin. I am a finance professional with over a decade of experience in banking, fintech, and asset management. Presently, I am pursuing a doctoral degree (PhD) at the International School of Management in Paris. I have worked with leading Nigerian banks, including Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, and United Bank for Africa. I...
Prior to enrolling at ISM in 2009, I was looking for ways to improve my understanding of global business. Once I discovered ISM, I realized it was a good fit for me. At the time of my enrollment, I was very busy running my businesses and traveling across continents for official engagements. I needed a school that would allow me the flexibility to study...
As the Chief Executive Officer of my business, it is not possible for me to abandon my work and do a full-time PhD course. ISM offered me a perfect match in terms of flexibility. In addition to flexibility, the quality aspect of the course is remarkable. The contents covered were very helpful for my application in the business world. The professors...
Since graduating from ISM, I have settled down and continued focusing on my private businesses and corporate work life as a Non-Executive Director at FBN Holdings Plc. My education at ISM has added value by broadening my perspective on handling strategic issues that arise within my private businesses in hospitality, real estate, insurance broking, and...
Let me start by saying that I am now enjoying the best of two worlds. First as a practitioner and now as an academic. My education at ISM, which culminated in the defense of my Thesis "Diffusion of e-Learning Models for Entrepreneurship Education within Training Institutions in Nigeria: A Multiple Case Study," enabled me to put a theoretical framework...
My due diligence before selecting ISM included talking to several alumni and current students. There was a resounding endorsement for the program curriculum and faculty members. Since joining my PhD program, I have found the validations to be absolutely true. ISM administration ensured that the onboarding process was smooth and were easily accessible...
The first thing that impressed me about ISM was the prompt and professional responses from the staff and administration. I work in academia as a program director and yet it was a daunting prospect for me personally to think about the process for making application, interviewing and starting courses in a PhD program. I had explored a number of options...
I am a professional in research administration with two decades of experience supporting faculty at top liberal arts colleges in the United States, including a recent appointment as Director of Sponsored Research at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. In addition to supporting faculty on their own grants, I have served as a principal investigator on a...
Once your non-academic career starts, a PhD is little more than a dream as traditional programs allow for only full-time students. ISM changes that. This highly-accredited doctoral program makes a PhD or DBA attainable for the non-traditional student, making the elusive doctorate a reality.
What I enjoyed most about studying with ISM in New York and...
I have experience in foreign direct investment, consumer goods procurement, product management and marketing, corporate strategy, competitive intelligence, investor relations, and ESG. With a Master's degree in Systems Engineering and an MBA, as I became involved in the field of sustainability, I knew I wanted to study in this area and pursue a PhD...
I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to study at ISM and continue my postgraduate studies. My DBA program gave me the chance to be one of those successful candidates and establish a good friendship with many students.
ISM is the best school to offer an intensive international program that helped me gained valuable field experience...
I am an entrepreneur, executive coach, and trainer, and a seasoned professional with over two decades of international experience in the fields of marketing, communications, and corporate leadership. I have served in senior leadership roles across various organizations, including as Head of Marketing & Communications at State Bank of Mauritius and...
With a vibrant career in banking and international capital markets that spanned nearly three decades, Dr. Ben Nwoji has always harbored a deep passion for international business. Starting with a BSc in Management from the University of Nigeria, he went on to earn an MBA in Finance from the University of Stirling, Scotland. His 28 years dedicated...
ISM has a unique position as a practitioner oriented doctoral program that is international in scope, in its faculty and in its student body, with flexibility in courses at different times in different cities that make the learning stimulating and doable for a busy executive. I enjoyed immensely the Shanghai courses and professors and left thinking I...
Imagine dreaming of joining the world of current and future leaders, taking part in groundbreaking conversations and research, and pushing boundaries… Now imagine living it. That’s an experience that ISM made my reality. With the desire to contribute to something unique, benefit from a diverse environment, and open up opportunities for people and...
As a full-time nonprofit healthcare executive, wife, and mother of three, being a DBA student and member of the ISM community is something that I take pride in. My journey as a student at ISM began in 2017 and has been one of the most impactful and important experiences of my personal and professional life. The personal growth and career trajectory...
I have been a student of the International School of Management for approximately 5 years and have recently graduated from the DBA program. The school’s teaching methods are excellent and my instructors were knowledgeable, encouraging and patient. The unique program philosophy has allowed me to learn and make progress towards my personal and...
One of the best decisions I made in 2015 was to enroll in the DBA program at ISM. I realized this after attending four courses in Paris. Some of the courses I have taken have changed my thinking and added so much value to both my professional and personal life. ISM is a life-changing institution, and the support provided by the staff is...
In 2015, I decided to advance my academic career and began my search for a school that fit my needs. I was interested in studying at ISM and chose to enroll because of the school’s global perspective and cultural diversity. The opportunity to interact and learn from people from different parts of the world was something I did not want to miss. My work...
ISM was my first and best business school selection to pursue my DBA degree. The knowledge, study materials, and academic supervision all were above the academic standards. Relating what I learned to my work enhanced the work performance and I experienced more management techniques to implement. ISM environment is like my family. Thanks to ISM.
The thing that inspired me to apply to ISM’s DBA program was its flexibility, which allowed me to work and study at the same time. Prior to my time at ISM, I was working as an industrial engineer/product manager in the field of soft drinks manufacturing. When I applied, I knew the DBA program would expand my scope and the focus of my professional...
My name is Hema (pronounced Hey-ma). Hema means gold in Sanskrit, so I like to refer to myself as ‘the golden girl’! Born and raised in India, I moved halfway across the world to the UK for work 20 years ago and have stayed since.
I am a strategy leader, and my core experience is in strategy and development primarily in consumer-facing...
