Student Stories: From Marseille to Lille, My First Days at SKEMA

I come from Marseille, where I completed my preparatory studies at Lycée Thiers, right in the heart of the city. Arriving on the Lille campus was not much of a culture shock for me. I’m still in a large city, with plenty of places within walking distance and a vibrant atmosphere throughout its neighborhoods.

Since arriving, I’ve been getting my bearings. I’ve been exploring the narrow streets, local landmarks, wide boulevards, and the city’s historic center. I was also lucky enough to experience the famous Lille Flea Market during my very first days here, which was a great introduction to the city. Because I was still living in Marseille, arranging apartment viewings was a challenge.

I really like Lille. It’s a pleasant city to explore, and I feel comfortable here. There are little things you notice when you come from somewhere else. I was surprised by the attention paid to public spaces and cleanliness in certain neighborhoods. They may seem like small details, but they shape the impression I’m building of the city.

Finding an Apartment 800 Kilometers from Home

I settled into an apartment not far from Lycée Européen Montebello. I looked at the housing options available around the school, but I wanted a place of my own. Most of the accommodations I found seemed geared toward shared housing, which wasn’t what I had in mind. So I continued my search independently, mainly through online listings.

Since I was still in Marseille, organizing apartment visits was difficult. In the end, I chose my apartment without seeing it in person. It was a risk, but living alone was important to me, and the apartment matched what I was looking for.

I was eager to discover the campus, its facilities, and what everyday life there would be like. I live about a 40-minute walk from campus, but the metro makes getting around much easier. The station is just a short walk from my apartment, and it also allows me to reach downtown Lille without any trouble. Some evenings, I even walk home.

Starting the Year and Finding My Bearings

The first few days were dedicated to orientation activities and welcome events. I was excited to discover the campus, its facilities, and how everything works on a day-to-day basis. I would have liked even more time to explore the different services and student spaces to help me get familiar with my new environment. With several hundred students arriving at the same time, however, organizing that is a challenge.
You gradually become familiar with your new surroundings day by day. Whenever you need help, both students and staff are there to support you. 

On the practical side, there were a few tools to learn, including the QR codes used for attendance tracking. I didn’t fully understand how they worked at first. They may seem like minor details, but when you’re entering a new school environment, they also help shape your sense of familiarity.

The Welcome Hackathon: Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

I really enjoyed the Master in Management (PGE) welcome hackathon. We were first divided by class year and then placed into groups of five, with a project to develop and present to other students. Having assigned teams was actually a great idea. I met people I probably would not have chosen on my own, and it pushed me to break the ice and step outside my comfort zone. 

I found the hackathon format both original and academically well designed. Everyone worked within the same framework and followed the same instructions. It was also a great way to discover the working methods we’ll be using throughout the year.

My first classes started this week. The very first one took place in a lecture hall, and my initial impression was positive. Even sitting in the back row, I could hear everything clearly. It may sound like a small thing, but when you spend several hours in a classroom, it really matters.

Not Arriving Alone: My Good Fortune

I was fortunate to arrive at SKEMA with four students who had also studied with me at Lycée Thiers. During those first few days, that was reassuring. We could have lunch together, explore the city, and settle into our new environment without feeling like we were starting completely from scratch.

That hasn’t stopped me from meeting new people. The hackathon, welcome events, and social gatherings organized at the start of the year have created plenty of opportunities to talk with students I didn’t know before.

I also plan to join a student association. People have advised me to pay attention not only to the organization’s activities but also to the people involved. That makes sense: you’ll be working together, organizing projects, and spending a lot of time with one another.

Sports are another area that interests me. I’ve signed up for soccer and tennis, and I’m looking forward to seeing how I can fit both activities into my schedule.

In just a few days, I’ve already started to find my footing. There is still so much left to discover, but one thing is certain: I’m excited to see what my first year at SKEMA has in store for me.