From convalescence to 18,000 likes on LinkedIn, Aude Mouline has lived a multitude of experiences in 3 years. Let’s look back on the amazing ...
From the Hospital Bed to an ESSEC degree: Aude Mouline’s extraordinary journey
27.11.2019
From convalescence to 18,000 likes on LinkedIn, Aude Mouline has lived a multitude of experiences in 3 years. Let’s look back on the amazing story of this Sales & Marketing Director.
While applying to the MGO program at ESSEC, Aude learns that she has a serious medical issue several weeks before the start of her program. She undergoes 2 operations and continues her courses. A few months later, Aude learns that her little boy has a rare disease; fate is playing a game with her. Finally, Aude completes her journey with a family in good health and thousands of encouragements the night she receives her degree from ESSEC Executive Education.
On 18th October 2019, Aude Mouline graduated from the Management & Gestion des Organisations (MGO) program. Surrounded by her classmates and her family at the ESSEC Executive Education Commencement Ceremony, she shares the good news on LinkedIn.
24 hours later, in a spectacular turn of events, notifications arrive endlessly and her post exceeds 1 million views. As someone who only shares social media updates occasionally, she receives thousands of messages of support as her story has touched the ESSEC Community and beyond. We hear first-hand from Aude, our newly-minted MGO graduate:
The “buzz” on Sunday, from astonishment to a wave of emotions
I have never published much on LinkedIn, but I wanted to. I did it without much thought, appreciating that special moment, basking in the atmosphere of celebration and pride that we shared at the Commencement Ceremony. Several hours passed and my phone did not stop sounding; it was unheard of!
When life gives you twists and turns
It is June 2017: I am looking to develop my skills and feel that ESSEC is the best school for me. As the Sales Director of a hotel, I am admitted into the MGO program. A few weeks before the start of the program, I discovered a big health issue. After 2 operations and 18 days in the hospital, I did not think I would be able to continue the program, but I received good news from the recruitment team about financing my degree. I thus decided to take it as a sign of destiny. A week after being discharged, I was on campus, doing my program at ESSEC.
A thesis on the Children’s Tumor Foundation; it was meant to be
As someone working in the hospitality sector, at the start, I had a natural tendency to work on a thesis linked to this subject. However, during the program, my son was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF). While searching, I learnt about the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF), a medical foundation which does research, and I began to volunteer with them. I participated in the organization of an event the same year that I did my thesis, with guests such as Nicolas Sarkozy, Rachida Dati and Patrick Bruel. Shortly after, I was named Senior Advisor to the Foundation, still on a voluntary basis. I thus made the decision to focus on this Foundation for my thesis. I will not forget the strong support from Frédéric Oble, Director of my thesis, regarding this change.
A story that ends beautifully
The past 3 years have not exactly been smooth-sailing. These trials and tribulations have moulded me into the woman I am today.
Without ESSEC, I would not have been able to complete this thesis, I would not be as invested as I am in this cause, and I would not have received as much support and advice from the faculty (Frédéric Oble, Florence Cavélius and many others) as well as from my classmates, in particular Sanaa Nahla-Dati… Compared to my initial project on hospitality (which I knew much better), this thesis, which spoke to me on a more personal level, gave me the strength to commit myself to a cause close to my heart.
This journey, which began after my discharge from the hospital, ended with a thesis on the CTF. To conclude, I can only quote Hippocrates, “The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.”
Find out more about:
