Martin Strub-Hidalgo is a former professional handball player with five national titles in France and the US to his name. In 2007, he joined the MEB (Master in European Business), which has evolved into the MBA in International Management at ESCP Europe, the world’s first business school.

After graduation, he landed a job in the business intelligence department of Orange in New York. He now works as a principal analytical lead for Google in Amsterdam, helping Booking.com – a major travel industry client – identify new business opportunities and customer trends.

It’s a high-flying, global business career testament to a truly international MBA. On ESCP Europe’s MBA in International Management, students study in two different countries of their choice on one of the school’s six European campuses – in Paris, London, Madrid, Berlin, Warsaw and Turin – and in Asia; in Delhi in India and Beijing in China.

“ESCP Europe’s program allowed me to gain crucial knowledge to get into Orange and eventually Google,” says Martin, who chose ESCP Europe for its global reputation.

“In a single year, I worked on two company projects, spent six months in two countries, and collaborated with colleagues from diverse backgrounds throughout the program,” he continues. “All those experiences had a tremendous impact on my communication, leadership, and teamwork skills which are crucial in global companies.”

ESCP Europe’s one-year, two-country MBA in International Management is fully-accredited by AMBA and costs €32,000 ($36,000). MBA students participate in two consultancy company projects with real firms and can choose from up to 24 electives, with the option to experience all six of the school’s European campuses as well as ESA Beirut, a historical partner of ESCP Europe, should they wish to.

The program prepares students for international careers in today’s global business environment. ESCP Europe has over 4,600 students in degree programs each year representing around 90 different nationalities. 35-to-40 nationalities are represented in the MBA class. The school’s 50,000-strong alumni network extends across 150 countries globally.

“ESCP Europe’s alumni network allowed me to reach out to multiple executives in major companies who provided insider information on the companies I was targeting [during my jobs search],” Martin continues.

“Currently at Google, I work on projects requiring leadership and management skills. On any given project, I interact with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and different fields of expertize – all of them with a strong drive.

“ESCP Europe’s MBA in International Management is built in a similar way. Not only did I gain a high visibility in the jobs market, I got one year of preparation for what is required in major companies in terms of soft skills, cross-cultural experience, and working with ambitious people.”

Professor Véronique Tran – dean of the MBA in International Management and an expert in leadership, emotional intelligence, and teamwork – is keen to place these valuable skills at the heart of the program: “We integrate these topics throughout all activities and not just in specific courses,” she says.

Paula Poletti (pictured above) will start her MBA in International Management at ESCP Europe in September this year. She’s spent the last few years working in finance and consulting for firms like Danone and EY in her native Brazil.

“The MBA for me is all about change,” she says. “It’s the best possible way for me to prepare myself to work in the fields I want to and have great job opportunities.

“I chose ESCP Europe because the school is well-recognized as a leading business school with a deep connection with companies,” she continues. “ESCP Europe puts you in contact with Europe’s best companies throughout the course.”

With an MBA at ESCP Europe, Paula is looking to take her career to the international stage – she’s never previously worked outside Brazil. She’s now targeting marketing and sales roles in Europe.

“ESCP Europe will help me achieve my goals by providing me with technical knowledge and offering me its powerful network, through seminars with business leaders, alumni network and jobs and internship opportunities,” she says.

Paula’s confidence is well-placed. ESCP Europe students receive around 30,000 jobs and 20,000 internships offers every year, 10% created or joined a startup.

“Joining our MBA in International management means having the luxury of choice and companies’ doors opened,” adds Pascale Martin Saint Etienne, the program's director.

“Six career services on six campuses allow students to be well-prepared for both the domestic and international jobs market. And, with the Leadership Advancement Program (I-LEAP), students learn how to enhance their leadership skills towards shaping their future career.” she continues.

“ESCP Europe's MBA in International management is truly a journey in knowledge, business, and culture.”