SKEMA Business School offers a broad assortment of activities to provide a balanced lifestyle for their students. Sports are offered at both the recreational and competitive level for those interested. One can participate in almost anything: tennis, soccer, rock-climbing, dance, rugby, swimming and much more.
I decided to join the competitive men’s volleyball team, and it has proven to be a rewarding experience. It has been an excellent way for me, as a foreigner (I’m from Canada), to integrate myself into the school and life here. I have met and become friends with some great people as a result. Also, as someone who is striving to learn French, joining a team has been an excellent way to accelerate my comprehension of the language.
With one practice and one game per week, the schedule is not overly demanding, and I have had no problems fitting this commitment in with my other academic obligations. The camaraderie and team spirit that SKEMA creates in all the activities it offers is not lost in its athletics.
Our team has challenged other schools in the area and worked hard for some strong victories.
Next term, there will be a tournament-style league among other French business schools to determine the best team in the country. I am looking forward to the opportunity to represent my school and, with the help of my teammates, show the rest of the country SKEMA’s competitive spirit.
On the lighter side of the activities available, last term I participated in the weekly sailing classes.
For one afternoon every week, I would join my classmates at the Sailing Club in Antibes for three hours of lessons and practice at sailing. The well qualified instructors taught us a vast amount about the sport. The lessons began with the names of the various pieces of equipment being utilized, and how to rig our catamarans. With this base established we moved into the water and progressively became more capable with each outing.
At the end of every afternoon on the water we would discuss the lessons of the day, and learn the theory behind sailing techniques. The climate is favorable for sailing so, with only a single layered wetsuit we were able to continue our outings into the beginning of December. I was satisfied with the amount of experience and knowledge I gained in a single term of sailing.
I am now anticipating many beautiful summer days on the water.
SKEMA has proven to be very competent at providing a range of activities to suit the tastes of its students, and help enrich their experience.
By Todd Wierenga, MSc International Business 09-10