Ana Phommachanh - Student in Bachelor of Science in Global Management, double degree Italy track
- Programme of study: Bachelor of Science in Global Management/ Double Degree Italy track
- Year of testimony: 2025-2026
- Country of origin : Laos
Could you introduce yourself in a few words?
Hello, I’m Ana, a 3rd year TSM student currently on mobility in Rome. I’m half French and Lao and arrived in Toulouse in 2023 for my studies at TSM which led me to spend the last year in Rome’s Tor Vergata University.
Why did you choose your current course of study?
While looking up options for studies around Management in Toulouse, I found that TSM offered a programme fully taught in English for 3 years with opportunities to study abroad. I chose management studies because I’m interested in the functioning of firms all around the world, and I wasn’t sure of what specifically interested me yet, so this course of study allowed me to explore all the different aspects and jobs in this domain such as marketing, accounting, human resources and so much more!
What do you like most about this programme?
This programme is one of the few fully taught in English programmes with a high rate of international students in all of France, and since it is a public institution, it is not as expensive as a private school. This programme allowed me to meet people from all around the world while building a strong English fluency for professional purposes, which will lead me to many opportunities to work anywhere I want in the world.
Under what framework did you go abroad
The Bachelor of Science in Global Management requires every student to leave for mobility at least 1 semester either in the 2nd or 3rd year. I chose the 3rd year because coming to Toulouse was already a mobility for me, coming from Laos. I didn’t want to do several back and forth to Toulouse, so this choice was more fluid for me.
Which destination did you choose, and why?
While I got accepted in another country for a one semester mobility in my 3rd year, we got proposed a one-year exchange in Rome in the framework of a Double Degree. Tor Vergata is a highly ranked university in the world and Rome was recommended to me by everyone I knew that went there to visit for its important role in history as well as the culture.
How does TSM support you in this opportunity?
After being selected, TSM was of great help to connect us with our coordinator in Tor Vergata, as well as guiding us in the steps to follow to move to Italy and enroll in our new school. In general, TSM also help every student in terms of scholarships for mobility and the school remained available for every question or help.
What is your daily life like during your mobility (university, classes, social life, environment)?
I am reaching the end of the first semester here. Until now, my semester has been separated into two parts with midterm exams in the middle for one course. I will now have a few exams and presentations to complete the first semester. Classes have been very interesting and varied; in fact, I studied Italian Law, Corporate Strategy, Industrial Organisation, Marketing and Virtual Teams plus Italian lessons. Teachers are very experienced and knowledgeable, and easy to reach out to for any questions. I live in a student residency called CX Student Place 15 minutes from the campus because finding a separate apartment was quite though considering we live quite far from the city center. We study with Italian students but there is also a big share of other Erasmus students, so we don’t feel too lost.
How do you think this exchange will benefit your future studies?
On a diploma perspective, a double Degree is certainly better than a single degree. Also, going on an academic exchange shows that we are open to learn about new cultures and mature enough to learn to live in a new country, having to learn everything from how to use transportation to dealing with administrative processes. My CV is now enriched and will be useful for masters applications and future job/internship interviews.
What advice would you give to a student who is hesitating to go on an academic exchange?
Going on a mobility will broaden your perspective of what you knew of the world, especially if you’ve never moved abroad. Wherever you go it will be a great opportunity to meet new people, discover new perspectives and most importantly learn to rely on yourself. TSM offers academic exchange opportunities in so many countries so it would be a waste to not go. You may never get the same opportunity elsewhere ever again so just go for it!
Could you share an anecdote from your time abroad?
This is the second time I move for my studies, so I didn’t encounter any problems. However, I can mention one thing that surprised me here. In Italy, students are given multiple chances to pass exams over the year and even the next. In the midterm exam I took, several students left 5 minutes into the exam because they probably didn’t study enough and just thought about taking the next exam call.