A Dream Realized at HEC Paris

After 15 years in luxury hospitality and hotel management, Gian Mueller dreamed of returning to school. At HEC Paris, he found an EMBA program that fulfilled it all: learning new skills, planning his next career steps, and exchanging views and experiences with a diverse cohort of classmates from around the world.

Pursuing a New Perspective in Paris

An Executive MBA provides students with new skills and current knowledge. But if you are a mid-career professional, taking the time out to reflect on your path while studying can also help you decide on your next step. 

“It’s been my dream to go back to school, especially in a world that is evolving very quickly. It’s important to keep your knowledge up to date,” says Gian, who is from Switzerland. (00:28) 

He further elaborates, “Apart from the learning, I felt that after 15 years it was important to press pause on my life and my career and to maybe look at myself from a different perspective.” (01:07)

For Gian, the HEC Paris EMBA was an easy choice. Gian wanted to study alongside his work, meet peers from a variety of cultural and professional backgrounds, learn more about leadership, and spend time in his favorite city, Paris, France. The weekend format made that possible.

It was also a prestigious choice. HEC Paris is currently ranked #2 worldwide according to the QS Executive MBA rankings 2025.

Weekends in the City of Light

The HEC Paris EMBA involves 50 in-person days of study. Gian chose a format with two weekends a month at the campus in central Paris. The timing suited the seasonal nature of Gian’s work in the hotel industry, enabling an agreeable work-life balance. And he didn’t mind the extra travel, as he loves spending time in Paris.

“I consider Paris one of the most inspiring cities in the world, and in the weekend module, the classes take place in Paris. So I absolutely wanted to use this opportunity and spend some more time in my favourite city.” (04:14)

Paris is an attractive study destination for many. At HEC Paris, around 80% of the EMBA program students are international, which illustrates how many students come from around the globe to Paris to study. 

A Luxurious Choice

The HEC EMBA offers eight specializations in 12 locations, to enable students to network with and learn from key players and decision-makers in various fields. 

Coming from luxury hospitality, Gian chose a specialization called Luxury, Today and Tomorrow. 

“I wanted to better understand what actually drives the industry and business that I am in. HEC Paris has a very strong reputation for being close to the luxury sector,” Gian explains. (04:54)  Paris, as a central hub of the luxury sector, made it the perfect place to do that, he adds. 

The specialization involved a study trip to New York, in the U.S., with tours of Tiffany’s flagship store and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Later in the program, they completed a trip to Milan, Italy, in which their cohort visited a silk production site on Lake Como for insights into luxury fashion.

Behind the Boardroom Doors

Gian doubled up on specializations, adding the Board Governance option as well. He wanted to learn more about leadership, management, and governance.

“I think board governance is something that, in real life, it happens mostly behind closed doors,” Gian reports. “So I saw this module as a unique opportunity, actually to get an insight into the world of boardrooms.” (06:40) 

The students often learned from board members, many of whom were HEC Paris alumni, who were able to share real-world cases. Gian says that the experience was “priceless”. It provided access to an insider’s perspective on leadership. 

The Red Thread of Leadership

In fact, leadership was the “red thread” throughout the 18-month EMBA journey, according to Gian. (01:59) Moreover, he notes that the leadership exercises and theory are directly applicable in his work. As the leadership modules are recurring, you continue to learn from them throughout the program.

The prevalence of this theme was perfect for the cohort of about 40 students, who all had leadership top of mind.

“Even though we were from completely different industries, I think all of us were kind of in this turbulent zone between managerial roles and senior executive roles. And I felt that the course content was really spot-on to help us cope with these challenges and get ready for the next level.” (3:21)

The focus on leadership development permeates all of HEC Paris’ EMBA cohorts, as EMBA alum Mohsen Rezaei attests. 

International Collaborations for Insight

The international travel that accompanied each specialization revealed cultural differences in business and education, Gian recalls. He gained a better understanding of American and European business practices and teaching methods. 

Gian spent time in Frankfurt, Germany, at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, at NYU Stern School of Business in New York City, and at the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia. 

“It was a real privilege” to visit these places and universities, Gian says. (10:26) The travel opportunities also contributed to his personal growth that he experienced during the EMBA program.

“At the beginning of this EMBA program, everybody always told us it will change you, it will transform you completely. I, at the time, didn’t really understand what they meant, but I think after one week at HEC Paris, I realized that the transformation is happening. And by visiting these universities, I felt that it accelerated even further just because of these different perspectives,” Gian remembers. (10:53) 

It was a valuable addition to an already rich and challenging curriculum.

Putting Leadership Skills into Practice with Confidence

Gian was able to put his new knowledge into practice through leadership, strategy, and sustainability. He established a sustainability committee at the hotel where he works and created a new sustainability program for the property. 

“I think overall the EMBA gave me a much better holistic understanding of business challenges,” he reflects. (12:10) It gave him the luxury of choice. He now has a larger toolkit and awareness of a larger range of options when addressing challenges.

Furthermore, the EMBA enabled Gian to expand his self-reliance. “This program also gave me a lot of confidence to pursue my goals and also to carry out my work and to take decisions,” he says. (12:47)

The program’s outdoor leadership seminar tested the students’ skills, knowledge, and ability to work as a team. It involved two days of intense crisis simulation and leadership challenges. It brings all cohorts together, from every track and location.

Similarly, EMBA alum Valentina Kuhlen found it rewarding that HEC Paris pairs academic rigor with practical relevance.

Advice for Future EMBA HEC Paris Students

Gian highly recommends the HEC Paris EMBA program. “Go for it,” he beams, adding, “It’s a lot of fun and it’s definitely worth it.” (15:30)

The best way to reap the benefits? Invest fully. “What you put in is what you get out of it,” he emphasizes. (15:34) Participate actively in discussions and group work. Exchange perspectives with your peers. By putting in the effort, you maximize your learning journey.

Nonetheless, keep in mind that it’s a big commitment. Gian advises students to ensure their employer is “on board” regarding the study program. (16:14)  He also recommends having a frank discussion with family and friends, to “paint a realistic picture” of the time you’ll need to spend away from home. (16:47)

That’s the best way to get the most out of the HEC Paris EMBA program experience. You’ll be ready to pursue your dreams as a leader in international business with confidence. 


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