STUDENT INTRODUCTION

Léopold Merçay

Student of GBBA Y3

Intern at OYMotion

Léopold Merçay, a current GBBA student, recently shared his journey of studying in China and joining OYMotion, a leading embodied intelligence enterprise. In this interview, he elaborates on his adaptation process from Lyon to Shanghai, explores the cultural differences between Chinese and Western workplaces, and discusses how he applies theoretical knowledge to practical overseas market expansion within a fast-paced environment.

Léopold notes that China’s highly efficient business ecosystem and the strong culture of team trust have accelerated his personal growth. It is hoped that his experience will serve as a reference for fellow students regarding cross-cultural communication and international career development, encouraging more scholars to broaden their horizons and solidify their professional competencies.

Not Emily in Paris, this is Léopold in Shanghai~

Let's see the interview with Léopold

Could you briefly introduce yourself and your professional background?

My name is Léopold Merçay. I am currently in my third year of the BBA. During the past year, I have different experiences abroad, such as Netherlands, where I had an internship for my second year. Then I spent a semester in Chile for my academic exchange and here I am in China for my third-year internship at OYMotion.

We heard that you had already found an internship in China, what attracted you to pursue professional development in China?

First of all, I think China, as we all know, is very dynamic and fast-growing market. So these facts very attract me to come to China. Then I had discussions with several companies, and I had the chance to get an offer from a very hot market at the moment, which is Embodied AI, so I couldn't turn it down.

How did you find your internship and obtain the visa for China (Shanghai)? Did emlyon offer any support throughout this process?

First of all, I went through my own research for internship. I was activately looking for an internship in China, and had several discussions with companies. And I find an offer that perfectly matches with my expectation. And of course, emlyon support me by providing me the good materials in that way and with the professional agreement as well.

Do you think your studies at emlyon or any specific GBBA course gave you an advantage in securing this internship?

A big part of this comes from emlyon—the school really pushes you to seek out international experiences and become highly adaptable. That's how I ended up on this journey. The emlyon GBBA program also gave me solid business fundamentals, like market analysis, financial skills, and pricing strategies—things I can directly apply and replicate in my actual work. There are so many courses that help strengthen your business skills in a practical way.

Could you quickly give a brief about your current company?

I am actually working in a new start-up called OYMotion, that startup has been created 15 years ago, and OYMotion is offering several solution in healthcare, robotic and research fields.

What are your main responsibilities in your current internship?

During this internship, I am experiencing a lot of different things. The main part of my internship is that I have to develop the overseas market of my company since we're really implemented already in China. So it can be exhibition, sales or even communication.

What has it been like to attend in the ICP project organized by emlyon Asia Campus as a company representative? What have you gained from this experience?

First, I'm really glad to be part of this—it's a brand-new experience for me. The ICP program is intense and fascinating. I've met so many interesting students, each with rich professional backgrounds. On top of that, they've given us valuable consulting insights, especially for our mission. Our goal is to develop and analyze European markets for my company's specific project, so this collaboration is truly beneficial for both sides.

This experience has also given me a new perspective—it's like seeing things from a different angle, which I find incredibly useful. I've learned a lot from the students as well, thanks to how closely we've worked together.

How do you think your experience in China (Internship + ICP project collaboration) will enrich your future career?

China is fascinating in so many ways, and this experience will definitely be valuable for my future. One thing that really stood out, compared to my previous experiences in France or the Netherlands, is the way people work: fast-paced, highly efficient, and deeply strategic in their thinking.

My relationship with my boss was also completely different. He gave me a great deal of trust in what I do—for instance, with the emlyon project, the decisions were fully mine, and he trusted me completely. I think this really reflects how China operates, and why the country is growing so fast. That's one of the key things I've gained from this experience in China.

Compared with France, what has been the most significant cultural difference you have experienced in the Chinese workplace?

There are so many things that are different from France, but I think the first—and biggest—is the language. As soon as I arrived, I was completely lost. But one thing I have to highlight about Chinese people is how incredibly helpful they are. No matter that I'm a foreigner, no matter where I come from—I received so much help and such a warm welcome. That really stands out.

I also experienced Chinese New Year for the first time, and it was so interesting and meaningful. It allowed me to deeply connect with the culture—I tried to understand how it all works, where Chinese New Year comes from, and the history behind it.

Something else that really struck me is the way people work. They're incredibly efficient, and the pace is intense. That's one of the main differences I've noticed. Working in China also opens doors to opportunities—things I could never have reached back in France, for example.

What advice would you give to students who hope to develop their careers in the Asian market?

The biggest advice I can give is stay open-minded. China and Asian markets in general, are very different from Europe. So stay open, communicate, and listen. That's the key.

emlyon gives us so many tools to navigate experiences like this, so seize the opportunities and go for them. An internship isn't just about business, it also lets you dive deeper into your future, connect with people beyond just networking, and, of course, explore. And China? It's a wonderful country.