Nico Fischer

HEC’s switched on and interactive teaching style made it very enjoyable to be active in class. Based on the super steep learning curve, these two weeks were the perfect preparation for my subsequent internship in Frankfurt.

Based on my very Finance-focused profile, (I am currently studying Finance at the London School of Economics (LSE) and preparing for a career in Corporate Finance), I was looking for a highly specialized, tailored, and intense program. HEC’s M&A Summer Program was a perfect match.

Even though I had already taken several courses in Corporate Finance and have interned in M&A a few times, I still had an incredibly steep learning curve. This not only resulted from the very exciting and practice-oriented content of the M&A summer program but also from a variety of factors that make HEC’s teaching character unique and in my opinion validate its renowned reputation as Europe’s best business school once again. 

1) Teaching Style: 

Most accurately, I would like to describe HEC’s teaching style as highly interactive within a small classroom environment. Intense classroom discussions are in my opinion the best way to effectively remember content much rather than just listening to a professor reading out slides and eventually zoning out. Professor Patrick Legland truly mastered this skill of keeping everyone’s attention. I have indeed always enjoyed being proactive in class and within HEC’s teaching environment it could not have been easier to thrive and enjoy participating. 

2) Content and teaching materials: 

What made the programme even more exciting was that Professor Legland taught us the whole syllabus based on real case studies he had worked on himself. Learning theoretic concepts of M&A based on industry-shaping transactions made this topic even more exciting and also simplified grasping otherwise complex topics. This was enhanced through a wide variety of high-profile guest speakers more broadly from the Finance industry. The fact that some of these speakers covered some quite niche topics not directly in M&A gave the program another special edge and broadened our horizon further – once even in combination with an office visit in Paris.

3) Group work: 

On top of the very interactive class environment, our learning did not stop at the end of the lecture. On a daily basis we were given a group task which involved applying the new knowledge learned that day to real-world cases – again! This was probably my favourite part of the program as it really required you to think sharply and collaborate effectively with your teammates. 

4) Background of the professor and participants: 

Working together in a dynamic environment with other motivated students is something I value a lot. I therefore really appreciated the opportunity during the summer school to meet lots of smart people from all over the world as well. 
HEC’s world-class reputation also filters through with the profiles of the professors and staff in general. Professor Legland has over 25 years of experience in investment banking and also teaches on the prestigious at MIF at HEC. You can really tell the moment he walks into the classroom how much he knows about the industry, and it was incredibly rewarding to learn from such a practised authority. 

5) Extra-curricular activities:

So far, I have only written about the rigorous academic syllabus HEC’s summer school offers its students. However, HEC’s summer school has far more to offer than just academic excellence. There were social events almost every day making it a very enjoyable time also outside of studies. Located just outside of Paris, the weekends were also ideal for a sightseeing tour. And lastly, as a sports-enthusiast, the campus of HEC impressed me with its offerings – be it the tennis courts, outside sports areas, gym, climbing wall, you name it – in addition to the quiet and peaceful environment in Jouy-en-Josas, ideal for outdoor sports.

For everyone considering applying, be prepared for two intense, yet incredibly rewarding and enjoyable weeks!

For more information on the Mergers & Acquisitions summer program