The Financial Times ranks the emlyon International MBA fourth in France for its focus on global business. Emlyon MBA graduate Sierra Parker offers a personal insight into how studying in Lyon developed her leadership skills and adaptability.
Sierra Parker always knew she wanted to work across borders. Originally from the United States, she was looking for an MBA to challenge her assumptions and broaden her global awareness. The emlyon International MBA (IMBA) immediately grabbed her attention.
“The program was the right choice for me because it was international. I’m American, I came from an international context in Boston, but what I lacked was these daily interactions with multiple different cultures.” (00:19)
emlyon builds internationalization into every layer of the experience. For example, the program includes immersive business trips across Europe. This enables students to explore various management styles and ecosystems in cities like Brussels, Milan, Berlin, and Helsinki. These trips expose students to a variety of organizational cultures and leadership styles, helping them adapt quickly to international business realities.
The emlyon International MBA program has achieved the coveted Triple Crown Accreditation, but it’s not just about prestige and recognition. The curriculum focuses on practical application, with every lesson tied to real business needs.
“There wasn’t a class that wasn’t hands-on,” she says. “There wasn’t a moment at emlyon that we weren’t trying to apply directly what we learned to solve a problem for a company in real time.” (03:12)
For her part, Sierra worked on new business models and expansion strategies with Accor Hotels. Later, she would find herself working on a completely different business scenario with a biotech startup.
On emlyon’s industry ties, Sierra says: “They really had a close relationship with their network and with the French ecosystem.” (03:24) This real-life learning experience and the diversity of projects help students learn faster and gain a broader understanding of business.
It’s relatively straightforward to teach accounting theory and management best practices. But how do you teach less tangible skills, like adaptability and critical thinking?
Sierra recalls a professor pushing her to think outside of the box when analyzing automation strategy in the car industry. “He just kept pushing. He said, ‘No, think…beyond Tesla, think beyond the classic Honda or Renault…I really had to step back and think about this [from] a different perspective than my typical stubborn self.” (03:48)
This approach forced Sierra to stretch her thinking. Instead of relying on templates, she learned to question assumptions, assess alternatives, and develop creative strategies tailored to the situation.
“My key learning personally is that one, it’s great to take on leadership. But when you’re a leader, you need to be able to work more as an intermediary and listen.” (05:16) By rethinking leadership, Sierra learned to react less and inspire collaboration instead of control. That shift has become one of her most valuable takeaways.
While emlyon’s classrooms emphasized action, Sierra Parker says some of her most impactful learning happened outside them in the school’s clubs.
“I was part of the Challenge Club. This allowed me to actually have a place where I could take a risk.” (06:05) While the curriculum saw her deal with real-life clients, the Challenge Club allowed for more creativity without the risk. “Schools or organizations would say, “OK, you have 48 hours, and I want you to design the next app for this problem.” (07:11)
Other clubs helped her develop specific leadership and interpersonal skills. The Sports Club, for example, became a space to experiment with building teams and refine teamwork. As Sierra says, “It’s not just about staying fit. It’s about how you communicate with your teammates so you win.” (07:58)
These clubs are practice arenas for the real world. They offer students a space to socialize, but also to practice theory throughout the International MBA.
The diverse cohort of international students on the emlyon International MBA is excellent practice for the modern business environment.
This parallel isn’t lost on Sierra. “In whichever type of job you’re doing, you’re going to have language barriers, cultural barriers, education barriers, and even experiences.”
Learning how to manage these differences is crucial to pushing a business in the right direction. “That was really emphasized within the curriculum over and over again and I’m very thankful for that today in my career.” (09:32)
emlyon’s Resonance 2028 strategic plan supports this focus on integration. It is a €17 million investment in professor-researchers, a forum for cultural exchange, and development in Europe, China, India, and Africa. These ambitious initiatives sit alongside French language classes and networking events that make navigating local life easier.
Sierra soaked up valuable lessons from studying in Lyon, such as the role of lunch in French workplace culture. “Lunch sounds so minor, but…actually it’s where you can get a lot of traction within your team.” (10:25)
These cultural insights, combined with structured MBA career support, helped her transition seamlessly into the workforce. From resume reviews to practical help setting up bank accounts, the career services team was hands-on and responsive.
If you’re considering taking the International MBA at emlyon, it’s a strategic decision.
However, to get the most out of your experience, Sierra has some sage advice. “Do not stay within the emlyon walls. Get involved with Lyon, the community, try to go to events within the city, because that’s also part of the network. Part of it is seeing what’s outside.”
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