Working with your passion: a master's internship at Louis Vuitton

At ESMT, you can find the support and build the skills you need to explore your professional passions. This is certainly true for Master in Global Management (MGM) student Maxence Donckele (Class of 2027), who recently completed a six-month internship at Louis Vuitton Deutschland in Munich. 

In this blog, Maxence takes us inside his internship, including the work it took to get there, and how he was able to leverage what he learned in the MGM. He also shares what it was like to live in Munich, and how it felt to be the first ESMT Berlin master's student to secure an internship with the luxury brand.  

Additionally, Maxence shares his MGM highlights so far, looks forward to the future, and explains why ESMT is such a good place to find real, international community, and the kind of genuine friendships that will last long into the future. 

Hi Maxence, please introduce yourself. 

Hi, my name is Maxence, and I am a 24-year-old student at ESMT Berlin, part of the MGM Class of 2027 cohort. 

I am from France, I’ve moved a lot, I love arts, fashion, and luxury hospitality. and I now live in Berlin.  

After having studied and worked in French-speaking countries, why did you choose Berlin?  

"Berlin was already known for its dynamic international community, and I was really eager to be a part of it. Turns out, it’s even more magical than I expected." 

Now, why study abroad when we already have very good universities in France? As I said, I moved a lot, and evolving in an international environment, again, felt essential to me. Plus, Berlin was already known for its dynamic international community, and I was really eager to be a part of it. Turns out, it’s even more magical than I expected.  

The city welcomes you with warmth (despite the harsh winters!), wherever you are from. 

Your academic background was in hospitality management. Why did you decide to move into business studies, and why ESMT? 

"ESMT Berlin was the first to grant me an interview, and I still remember hanging up and being like, “I think this is the one”!" 

I knew very early on that I wanted to do a master's in management at some point in my career. I decided to enroll in a specific hospitality-focused bachelor's to further explore an industry I was passionate about. I took it very seriously; the various experiences that came from it helped me figure out the path that I wanted to take in order to take my career to the next level. 

While working as an accountant, I studied in order to to get enrolled in a prestigious business school. Passing the GMAT wasn’t easy, but it kept me motivated and challenged me. 

ESMT Berlin was the first to grant me an interview, and I still remember hanging up and being like, “I think this is the one”! I was already quite drawn to the program and the curriculum, and this only confirmed my first thoughts.

It definitely had a positive impact on me. Learning alongside people from such diverse backgrounds broadened my perspective and opened my eyes to opportunities and career paths I had never previously considered. It provides a unique chance to learn not only from your coursework but also from the experiences, cultures, and viewpoints of others. 

The impact extends beyond professional development. On a personal level, it helps you become more empathetic, open-minded, and understanding.  

Group projects and collaborative exercises, for example, often expose you to different ways of thinking and to challenges that others face, encouraging you to develop stronger interpersonal skills and a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives 

Do you get a chance to socialize together outside of class? Do you get to meet students outside of your MGM cohort?  

"ESMT is a true community, and our strength is communication." 

Definitely. ESMT is a true community, and our strength is communication. Thanks to the various group chats, the Student Services, and MSc Office emails, we always get a chance to connect through organized events pushed both by the students themselves and the school. This gives us unique chances to meet with people outside our classes. I particularly recommend our iconic Bergfest, and the various student clubs. 

And of course, it goes without saying that ESMT enables you to create unique bonds with beautiful people, transforming into genuine friendships that will last beyond your master's studies. 

It took me a long time to get the internship, but two words can summarize it all: network and patience.  

I learned about this opportunity through my own network. However, this was a long process before securing it. I had to work at the Berlin stores to learn more about the company, the processes, and what the brand means for our customers on a deeper level. 

The Career Development Center (CDC) helped me by improving my resume and confirmed that my internship was aligned with the school requirements, as I was the first one to work at Louis Vuitton Deutschland. 

As I obtained my internship through my connections, I did not consult the CDC as much as my friends did, but the team do help you refine your goals, and they communicate many available positions through various channels.  

What is it like to work for such a major fashion brand? Were you able to draw on any particular classes, skills seminars, or other learnings from the MGM?  

"Being able to apply classroom concepts in a professional environment made the material come alive and showed me its practical relevance" 

It was deeply inspiring. During my internship, I regularly referred to learnings from my data analysis and statistics classes. 

Being able to apply classroom concepts in a professional environment made the material come alive and showed me its practical relevance. It was rewarding to see how analytical thinking could contribute to solving real-world problems and support strategic decisions. 

What was it like to move to Munich for the internship? Was it a notably different experience to Berlin?  

A dream come true! I first visited Munich for a weekend with friends a few summers ago, and I remember promising myself that I would one day come back. That was one of the main reasons I started looking for an internship in Munich in the first place.  

Munich is a beautiful city, rich in history, heritage, and tradition. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in both German and Bavarian culture. Beyond the city itself, the surrounding region offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities. Whether you enjoy hiking in the Alps, cycling, swimming in the lakes, or simply exploring nature, there is always something to do. 

Compared to Berlin, Munich has a completely different atmosphere. Despite being Germany's third-largest city, it often feels like a large village, which explains its nickname, Millionendorf ("the village of a million people"). Berlin, on the other hand, feels much larger, more international, and is particularly known for its vibrant nightlife and cultural scene.  

Both cities are fantastic places to live, but they offer very different lifestyles. Berlin is dynamic, fast-paced, and diverse, while Munich feels more relaxed, traditional, and closely connected to nature. In the end, it really depends on what you're looking for. 

Yes, many. Germany and Canada stood out for their emphasis on work/life balance. In France, I found that discussions and critical thinking often play an important role in decision-making. In the Maldives, I worked in a uniquely international setting, interacting with colleagues and clients from many different cultural backgrounds, which taught me the importance of adaptability and cross-cultural communication.  

Rather than viewing these differences as challenges, I see them as valuable learning opportunities. Each experience helped me develop a broader perspective and taught me how to adapt my communication and working style to different environments. 

Ultimately, I realized that successful collaboration depends on being open-minded, respectful, and willing to learn from others.  

Has completing your internship helped you find more clarity on what you want your career to look like after the MGM?  

"Throughout the internship, I gained valuable insight into how a global fashion and luxury company operates, the variety of roles it offers, and the many career paths available within the industry." 

Absolutely. One of the main reasons I pursued this internship was to explore a new industry and test whether my interests aligned with the reality of working in the field. Being passionate about an industry is one thing, but experiencing it firsthand is something entirely different. 

Throughout the internship, I gained valuable insight into how a global fashion and luxury company operates, the variety of roles it offers, and the many career paths available within the industry. The experience gave me a much clearer understanding of the sector and reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in this space.  

While I am still keeping an open mind about what comes next after the MGM, this internship has certainly made me more confident that the fashion and luxury industry is a path I would seriously consider. 

You are now back for your second year at ESMT. What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead? 

I am particularly looking forward to consulting on the Social Impact Project (SIP). I am excited to collaborate with my classmates on a mission-driven project and to support an NGO whose values align with our own. 

It is a unique opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge we have developed throughout the MGM program to help organizations create a meaningful impact in their communities. 

What makes this experience especially rewarding is the sense of purpose behind it. As students who have had the privilege of studying at a leading international business school, I believe we have a responsibility to use our knowledge to contribute positively to society. In many ways, this project is an opportunity for us to give back while continuing to learn, grow, and make a tangible difference alongside our partners.  

Do you have a favorite place on the ESMT campus? How about in Berlin?  

"My favorite place on campus is definitely the café. It is the heart of the ESMT community and always full of energy." 

My favorite place on campus is definitely the café. It is the heart of the ESMT community and always full of energy. Whether it is students working on group projects, professors catching up with colleagues, or visitors discovering the campus, there is always something happening. It is the perfect place to take a break, recharge, and most importantly, connect with others over a coffee or tea. 

In Berlin, my favorite place is Volkspark Friedrichshain. Located between Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg, it offers the perfect balance of activity and tranquility. I often enjoy going there for a walk, or simply to relax and read.  

What makes the park particularly special are its rolling hills, the pathways, and Greek-like monuments. In autumn, it becomes especially beautiful as the leaves gradually turn shades of orange and gold, making it one of the most picturesque spots in the city.

My favorite MGM memory has to be one special day during Orientation Week. Before classes had even started, we spent a day outside the ESMT campus participating in team-building activities designed to teach us what it truly means to work together.  

The highlight was definitely building a raft from scratch and racing it against other teams on a small lake just outside Berlin. It was chaotic, competitive, and incredibly fun!  

Looking back, what made it so memorable was not the race itself, but the friendships and connections that started forming during those first few days. After the activities, we spent the evenings together talking, laughing, and getting to know one another in a much more relaxed setting. It was the perfect introduction to the collaborative and international spirit of the MGM. 

If I could give one piece of advice to future students, it would be to make the most of every opportunity and genuinely enjoy the experience. Of course, academics are important, but some of the most valuable lessons happen outside the classroom.  

Be curious, say yes to new experiences, and make an effort to connect with people from different backgrounds. You never know where a conversation might lead. It could turn into a lifelong friendship, a new perspective that changes how you see the world, or even a connection that influences your future career. 

In many ways, the people you meet at ESMT are just as important as the courses you take. 

Thank you, Maxence! 

If you would like more insights from Maxence about the luxury brand sector, international hospitality, or life in the Master in Global Management, you can follow him on LinkedIn.