Studying in English in France, a Gateway to Global Careers

In this episode of Higher Ed Chats, we sit down with Hicham Abdallah, International Promotion Officer at ICN Business School, to explore the growing landscape of English-language business programs in France and their impact on global student mobility.

Drawing from his work managing recruitment initiatives across Africa and the Middle East, Hicham provides a ground-level view of how France's business schools are attracting a new generation of international learners. As a professional who himself moved to France at 16, he brings both personal experience and cultural understanding to his role at ICN, a 120-year-old triple-accredited institution now operating across three European cities.

Throughout our discussion, we examine several pivotal questions: What's driving the expansion of fully English-taught degree programs in France? How do recruitment approaches need to adapt across different regions of Africa? What does it really take to prepare business graduates for international careers? And crucially, how is the value proposition of higher education shifting in an age where information is freely available online?

Hicham offers candid insights into the realities of international student recruitment—from managing cultural expectations to understanding the importance of honest communication about what students will actually encounter. We explore ICN's approach to professional development through mandatory internships, the role of rejection in learning, and the institution's presence in major European business centers.

Looking ahead, Hicham reflects on emerging patterns in global education, particularly the untapped potential of growing youth populations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and how institutions might need to evolve to serve students who face mobility constraints.

Who’s in the episode?

Hicham Abdallah is the International Promotion Officer at ICN Business School in France, where he supports prospective international students in pursuing business education within a dynamic French environment. With a strong focus on global student mobility and university marketing, Abdallah brings rich experience in connecting diverse student cohorts with the right educational pathways.

Scott Miller is the host of Keystone Higher Ed Chats and the Executive Director of Keystone's international division, bringing over 11 years of EdTech experience to conversations about global education.

After graduating from DePauw University, living and working in different cultures showed him that stepping outside your comfort zone doesn't just broaden your horizons; it reshapes them entirely. That belief in the transformative power of international experiences brought Scott to Keystone in 2010, where he's spent over a decade (and counting) helping higher education institutions reach students worldwide.

On Keystone Higher Ed Chats, Scott speaks with thought-leaders in the industry about what he's most passionate about: how education changes lives, how cultural experiences broaden perspectives at any age, and how Keystone's mission—connecting students with their ideal higher education institution—makes those life-changing moments possible.

Timestamps & Takeaways

Timestamps

Takeaways

Africa requires nuanced, region-specific strategies. The continent demands distinct recruitment approaches: French-speaking West and North African students often have existing family ties to France and need less foundational information, while English-speaking African markets require more comprehensive education about French study options, affordability advantages, and the availability of English-taught programs.

Honest promotion creates better outcomes. Effective international recruitment means more than highlighting institutional strengths—it requires helping students form realistic expectations about their experience. Since migration presents genuine challenges, the objective is creating genuine alignment between student goals and institutional offerings rather than overselling opportunities.

Price competitiveness repositions French education. France's business schools present substantial cost savings versus UK, US, and German alternatives while maintaining high-quality credentials through international accreditations. With English-taught options now representing over 60% of program offerings and expanding, France becomes viable for students who previously dismissed it due to language barriers.

Diversity as a pedagogical asset. International students comprise 40% of ICN's population, arriving from Francophone Africa, North Africa, South America, South Asia, and China, among other origins. This demographic mix creates educational value beyond formal coursework—students develop adaptability and cross-cultural competencies that benefit any career path, whether international or domestic.

Experience over content in education's future. With information now universally accessible online, higher education's value increasingly lies in the experience it provides rather than content delivery. Growth will come from younger populations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America who recognize these dynamics. Institutions may expand transnational models, establishing overseas campuses to serve students facing migration barriers while still delivering international educational experiences.

Higher Ed Chats

October 25, 2025

17 minutes

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Studying in English in France, a Gateway to Global Careers

Who’s in the episode?

Hicham Abdallah

Scott Miller

Timestamps & Takeaways

Timestamps

Takeaways

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