As a third-year Management student at TSM, Toulouse School of Management, a component of the Établissement Public Expérimental Université Toulouse Capitole, Lucas took part in the Erasmus exchange programme and went to Tilburg University in the Netherlands.
His international mobility experience enabled him to develop his language skills, gain independence and discover a new culture, while strengthening his professional ambitions abroad.
Discover his journey through his testimonial!
Going on Erasmus: a major asset for an international career
For Lucas, taking part in Erasmus through Toulouse School of Management was a way to confirm and reinforce his interest in international opportunities.
While studying abroad allows students to live new experiences, it is also a strategic way to position oneself for a future international career.
Choosing to spend a semester or a full year in another country helps students build confidence, improve their English and feel more legitimate in their language abilities, all while attending high-quality courses in prestigious partner universities.
“I already had a good level of English, but it’s when I came back from my exchange that I truly felt bilingual. And for me, that’s a real asset when you want to move forward in the business world internationally.”
A valuable advantage for anyone looking to pursue a global career and stand out on the job market.
A life-changing experience that helps you grow
International mobility is also an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, challenge yourself and rediscover who you are in a completely different environment.
“Going alone to the other side of Europe at only 19 is a challenge you set for yourself, and once you have managed that, you are ready to face many things in the future.”
For Lucas, his academic exchange allowed him to push his limits and prove to himself that he was capable of living independently in an unfamiliar country, thriving both academically and socially.
A great opportunity to learn more about oneself and reveal skills that only needed the right environment to emerge.
Why choose the Netherlands? A welcoming and inspiring destination
Choosing a destination is a key step when planning international mobility. It is not only about selecting a country whose culture or lifestyle appeals to you, but also about finding an environment where you feel you can truly flourish.
“The first thing that comes to mind when I think about the Netherlands is how inclusive it is, with so much diversity and genuinely kind people.
The environment we lived in was very supportive of well-being. Our campus was literally in the middle of the forest.”
These aspects motivated Lucas to request a mobility placement in the Netherlands. For him, it was essential to find a city with a pleasant living environment and welcoming residents.
Encounters that shape student life
Moving to a new country means meeting unforgettable people and creating bonds with those who will share part of your student life.
Lucas explains that some of his best friendships were formed during his exchange, and that he still keeps in touch with the friends he made during his Erasmus, even after returning to France.
A network of international connections that continues to support him in his journey.
Continuing his studies abroad: a natural next step for Lucas
After completing his third year of Management at Toulouse School of Management, Lucas plans to continue developing his international profile, this time in Asia, in Shanghai.
He is currently enrolled in the Master in International Marketing of Innovation at Toulouse School of Management and will complete a mobility period at Tongji University as part of the double degree offered in the programme.
This pathway allows him to extend his international immersion while gaining professional expertise.
“I am really happy to go abroad again because once you start travelling and gaining independence as an international student, it is quite hard to go back to a fixed routine.”
His advice for those still hesitating to go abroad
“Listen to yourself, believe that you can do it, and most importantly, try. Even if you fail sometimes, the outcomes are always positive because you learn so much about yourself.”
Lucas emphasises the importance of trusting yourself and giving the experience a chance, even if it feels intimidating at first. For him, every challenge faced abroad becomes an opportunity to grow, both personally and academically. International mobility, he says, is above all a way to gain autonomy and confidence while discovering new ways of living and working.
Interested in an international experience like Lucas?
Applications for outgoing mobility are open until 16 January 2026.
If you want to discover new cultures, develop your language skills and enrich your academic journey through an international mobility experience, now is the time to apply.
Start your international mobility with Toulouse School of Management!
Watch Lucas’s testimonial
