Studying Business in Europe: What You Gain Beyond the Classroom with GEM Alpine Business School

Choosing a business school isn't just about choosing a program. It's also about choosing a city, a culture, a professional network, and a place you may call home long after graduation.

In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with Jinnie Hinderscheit, Head of Marketing for Post-Experience Programs at GEM Alpine Business School, to explore what it really means to study business in Europe.

Drawing on her own experience moving from the United States to France as an international student—and ultimately building her life and career there—Jinnie discusses the benefits and trade-offs of studying abroad, how local business ecosystems can create global career opportunities, and why factors like affordability, culture, friendships, and quality of life deserve a place in your business school decision.

They also explore what makes France and Grenoble distinctive destinations for graduate management education and how GEM connects students with an ecosystem built around technology, innovation, and global business.

If you're considering studying abroad—or simply wondering how much location should factor into your business school search—this conversation offers a new way to think about what you're really choosing when you choose a program.

Helpful Resources:

GEM Alpine School of Business: https://www.grenoble-em.com/en/

About Our Guest:

Jinnie Hinderscheit is an international marketing and communications professional specializing in higher education, research, and technology. At GEM Alpine Business School, she leads marketing and recruitment for the MBA, Executive MBA, and DBA programs. Her expertise includes international student recruitment, brand positioning, digital marketing, and program development.

Key Takeaways:

You're choosing more than a school. The city, industries, alumni network, culture, and lifestyle surrounding a program can shape both your student experience and your career opportunities. Studying abroad can change how you work. Being immersed in unfamiliar cultures and multicultural teams can challenge your assumptions and develop skills that translate directly to global workplaces. Local and global aren't opposites. A strong local ecosystem can expose students to global companies, international classmates, faculty, and ideas while providing a concrete environment in which to apply them. The surrounding business ecosystem matters. Company projects, visits, internships, speakers, and work experiences can help students test career