(September 16,  2020) Boston, MA and Cergy (France) – Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) Dean Arun Upneja, PhD, has announced the formalized relationship between two of the world’s leading hospitality programs: Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) and the ESSEC Business School in Paris, France. Graduate students enrolled in either program have the opportunity to earn part of their Master’s degree abroad – an opportunity which involves elective courses taught by premier internationally-recognized industry practitioners and internships in Europe and / or the United States.

“What an incredible manner to experience the world and develop the true global hospitality mindset so necessary for our business, particularly today,” states Dean Upneja. Boston University matriculated students will begin their Master’s work in the Fall term in Boston with classes to achieve the full Master of Management in Hospitality degree. For the Spring semester in Paris, a personally-tailored set of courses on the Paris campus of ESSEC offers SHA students opportunities to expand horizons and learn from the best of the best in Europe, all while studying alongside the students working toward their MS in Hospitality Management (IMHI). Courses are taught in English, and working knowledge of French is helpful for the internship experiences. Completion of this portion of the program earns students a Graduate Certificate from ESSEC, and then the students return to Boston to complete their MMH degree.

“Offering our participants the chance to study and train in the United States through this incredible partnership brings our program one step closer to our goal of increasing opportunities and further internationalizing our program. We are honored that such a prestigious institution chose our MSc in Hospitality Management as a partner. We look forward to working with them in the years to come and to welcoming American students from Boston University to Cergy,” adds Patti Brown, Program Director of the MSc in Hospitality Management at ESSEC. Boston is a unique location where hospitality intersects with medicine, education, technology, tourism, and sports. An environment where students acquire the skills from a renowned academic institution to improve a hospitality establishment’s day-to-day and big-picture operations.

With 34 years of experience in hospitality management, ESSEC offers a unique experience with the renowned MSc in Hospitality Management (IMHI) program. Originally named Institut de Management Hôtelier International (IMHI), the program was created in 1981. Recognized worldwide as a leading hospitality management program, the MSc in Hospitality Management (IMHI) is designed to prepare the next generation of young professionals to become leaders in the various areas of tourism and hospitality.