At a Glance
Student Life & Safety
During your time with us, you will enjoy the comfort and security of INSEAD's 4-star Hotel Ermitage, located at the heart of our famous Fontainebleau campus. You have access to all that INSEAD campus life offers as you build ties and bonds with your new colleagues and friends.

Extracurricular Activities
To provide a wealth of cross-cultural experiences, the programme includes visits to significant historical and cultural locations. From discovering Paris iconic landmarks, to touring the majestic castles of Fontainebleau with an Art Historian, students will have many opportunities to be out and about.
A Typical Day at INSEAD
The programme offers a wide range of academic, social, and cultural activities on and off campus. During the week, a typical day on campus will follow the below schedule.
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Sample Schedule
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7:45 - 8:30 AM Breakfast 8:30 - 9:00 AM Debrief and reflection with Programme Director, Adrian Johnson 9:00 - 10:30 AM Class session by INSEAD faculty 10:30 - 11:00 AM Break 11:00 - 12:30 PM Class session by INSEAD faculty 12:30 - 1:30 PM Lunch 1:30 - 3:00 PM Class session by INSEAD faculty 3:00 - 3:30 PM Break 3:30 - 5:00 PM Class session by INSEAD faculty 5:00 - 5:30 PM Break 5:30 - 7:30 PM Selected indoor or outdoor activities organised by counsellors 7:30 - 8:30 PM Dinner 8:30 - 10:30 PM Teamwork led by counsellors 10:30 PM All students must be in their residences 11:00 PM (one hour later on Friday and Saturday) Lights out
- Master classes are taught in INSEAD amphitheatres.
- The late afternoon indoor and outdoor activities provide a range of choices for students- including sports, games, arts and crafts, local excursions to Fontainebleau, and other group activities. All activities are supervised by counsellors.
- After dinner, students attend a teamwork session supervised by counsellors, and held in INSEAD breakout rooms.
- Once a week, students go on a field trip to Paris. The days in Paris consist of company visits in the morning followed by a lunch and cultural activities in the afternoon.
- The weekend offers a mix of cultural and sport activities on campus as well as in Fontainebleau and its surroundings. Some part of the weekend is also dedicated to teamwork supervised by counsellors.
- On the first day of the programme, students participate in a number of outdoor teambuilding activities in the Fontainebleau forest. At the end of the day, students are invited for a Show & Tell session. The objective of the day is for students to get to know each other and learn about each other cultures.
- On the last day of the programme, students are invited to present their team projects to INSEAD staff and faculty. Parents are welcome to attend the students’ presentations as well as the closing ceremony and dinner.
Campus Facilities
On Campus facilities are of the highest standard and include: 29 lecture theatres, numerous smaller classrooms, study areas, a restaurants, a café, a bookshop, extensive library resources and a fully equipped gym. Students have access to common areas within the campus as well as to all sporting and educational facilities.
Important Information
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Rules for Participants
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Attendance
Participants are required to stay for the whole duration of the programme. Participants are expected to take part in all scheduled activities (classes, teamwork, company visits, meals, as well as all cultural and social activities). Only in special circumstances, and with the approval of the head of Summer School Sc , may a participant miss a scheduled activity.
Bedrooms
Whenever a visitor is present in a bedroom (including participants of the INSEAD Summer School programme), the door to that bedroom must be open far enough that programme staff can observe the interior of the room from the hallway. Participants are encouraged to socialise in the common areas of the campus. Gatherings in the Ermitage rooms are not allowed and participants must sleep in their own rooms.
Cellular phones
Participants are allowed to have cellular telephones, but they are not allowed to have these phones turned on during class time or at any other time that requires their attention to be directed to INSEAD Summer School activities. Participants are discouraged from spending an excessive amount of time calling family and friends from home. The programme encourages students to engage in programme activities and socialise with others in the programme; therefore, excessive use of smart phones or other mobile devices for social networking, email, and games is not allowed.
Cleaning
Participants are responsible for keeping their bedrooms clean. Occasionally the counsellors or supervisors will inspect bedrooms, and participants are expected to follow any requests they make for the room to be cleaned. Participants are also expected to clean up after themselves in all of the common areas of the campus: restaurant, reception hall, amphitheatres, breakout rooms and all outside areas. Participants are expected to help maintain the cleanliness of common spaces by cleaning up trash in the common areas, even if they did not leave it there.
Computer use
Students have access to computers in all the breakout rooms. Students will not be able to work in the break out rooms after curfew, so they may find it useful to bring laptops. WIFI is available on campus, in the residence and in each accommodation.
Crosswalks
Participants must use designated crosswalks when crossing any street outside the INSEAD campus. Crossing the street illegally (or “jay-walking”) is prohibited.
Curfew and lights out
The residence’s curfew is at 10:30PM. Lights out time is at 11:00PM. This means that participants must be in their residences at 10:30PM and in their own bed with the lights out at 11:00PM. Lights out will be one hour later on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Restaurant
Participants are expected to behave with maturity and responsibility when in the INSEAD restaurant. They must return their trays, clean up after themselves, and treat the restaurant staff and other participants with respect. Throwing food is not allowed.
Dress
Participants are expected to dress in a manner that is not disruptive to others. We recommend students to refer to the "What to Pack list". Dress code regulations include:
- No clothing, accessories, bags, etc. displaying logos of racist groups, gangs, obscene language, vulgar gestures, drug references, racist, ethnic or sexual symbols, or slurs or symbols of hate, prejudice, intolerance or discrimination.
- No underwear or nightdress as outerwear.
- No slippers as footwear
- In classrooms, during teamwork, academic presentations, or while on academic field trips, please note the following:
- No hats, headwear, or sunglasses (except if outdoors, for religious observation, or by prescription)
- Shorts and skirts must be at mid-thigh length or longer
- No clothing which exposes more than 3 inches of the midriff, which is see-through, or is excessively low-cut
- Shirts and footwear must be worn at all times
Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
Participants shall not use, possess, or distribute alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, with the exception of prescription and over-the-counter medications that are listed on student medical forms and approved for use by the participant’s parent or guardian. All prescription medications must be in their original, labeled packaging. Participation in an incident involving alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is cause for immediate dismissal, even if the participant did not consume or intend to consume these substances.
Entrepreneurial activity
Participants are not allowed to sell goods or services during INSEAD Summer School. Participants are not allowed to gamble (including online gambling) during the programme. Gambling games that are played without real money are acceptable.
Environmental awareness
Participants are expected to conserve energy by turning off lights and other electrical devices when not in use. Participants are requested to conserve water by not leaving faucets running or taking excessively long showers. Participants are requested to conserve paper and only print documents as necessary. Participants are encouraged to recycle all cans, bottles, and paper; all residences have recycling containers.
Fire hazards and alarms
Participants must not, at any time, tamper with the fire safety equipment on campus, including fire extinguishers, fire alarms, or smoke alarms. There is a significant fine for tampering with this equipment. Additionally, fire hazards such as candles or incense are not allowed in or around the residences.
House meetings
Counsellors and supervisors will occasionally call meetings for all participants for important announcements and for other items that are relevant to all participants. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory.
Lanyards
Participants will be given lanyards to carry their room keys and badges, and they are expected to wear their lanyards at all times. Swinging or twirling of lanyards is not allowed because this behavior may lead to injury.
Lost keys and badges
There is a €50 fee for lost room keys or/and badges.
Message board
The residence will have a message board that may be used to announce changes in the rules of the residence and to notify participants of important activities.
Pranks
Participants are not allowed to instigate or participate in pranks targeted toward other programme participants, staff, or participants of other programmes, as well as any other INSEAD employees or visitors.
Public displays of affection
Participants are not allowed to publicly display affection in a way that makes other participants or staff members uncomfortable or imposes on their personal space.
Residential furniture
Participants are not allowed to rearrange furniture in the residence without permission from the programme staff. Any furniture that is moved must be returned to its original state by the end of the session.
Safety equipment
Participants may not tamper with any safety equipment, including, but not limited to, fire alarms and smoke detectors.
Security
Participants must keep their rooms locked when unattended. All suspicious activity should be reported to the program staff.
Sign out procedures
Participants must obtain permission to leave the campus, and all off-campus excursions require supervision by programme staff. Participants are not allowed to visit residences of other on-campus programmes or other residences that are not their own.
Sign-out sheets will be used to record destination, time in and time out, and name of the staff granting permission. Sign-out procedures will be explained during the orientation. Violation of sign-out procedures may be cause for dismissal from the programme. Sign-out privileges may be revoked at the discretion of programme staff.
Visits
Students are not allowed to visit family members or friends or entertain external visitors during the programme.
Guidelines on digital citizenship
Respect Yourself! I will show respect for myself through my actions. I will select online names that are appropriate. I will consider the information and images I post online. I will not be obscene.
Protect Yourself! I will ensure that the information I post online will not put me at risk. I will not publish my personal details, contact details or a schedule of my activities. I will report any attacks or inappropriate behaviour directed at me. I will protect passwords, accounts and resources.
Respect Others! I will show respect to others. I will not use electronic mediums to flame, bully, harass, or stalk other people. I will show respect for other people in my choice of web sites. I will not visit sites that are degrading, pornographic, racist, or inappropriate. I will not abuse my rights of access and I will not enter other people’s private spaces or areas.
Protect Others! I will protect others by reporting abuse, not forwarding inappropriate materials or communications, and not visiting sites that are degrading, pornographic, racist, or inappropriate.
Protect Intellectual Property! I will request to use the software and media others produce. I will use free and open source alternatives rather than pirating software. I will purchase, license, and register all software. I will purchase my music and other media, and refrain from distributing these in a manner that violates their licenses. I will act with integrity.
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Student Safety
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Supervision
Students are looked after by a team of supervisors and counsellors. They have been carefully selected. All have working experience with high school students. Their role is to ensure that all students are engaged in fun and educational activities. They are also responsible for providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment.
Arrival & departure
Rooms will be available from 1:00 PM on the arrival date. All participants should be checked in the INSEAD residences by 5.00PM. INSEAD Deputy Dean Peter Zemsky and Programme Director Adrian Johnson will address all participants at 6.00PM. It is compulsory for students to attend this session at 6:00PM. On arrival, members of our supervisory team will be there to help students settle into their room, and meet other students.
We can arrange airport/train transfers by taxi for an additional fee.
After the closing ceremony and a cocktail reception, the summer programme will come to an end.
On the departure day, if you are leaving the campus on your own (i.e without the taxi that was booked by INSEAD or without a guardian/parent), then one of your parents needs to send us an email in advance granting you permission.
Safety
Our campus is situated in safe neighbourhoods, with controlled access and 24hr security. Day-to-day life is overseen by a team of supervisors – educational professionals and counsellors.
During working hours, students can also seek advice or assistance at the INSEAD reception desk. The residences also have a service help desk open 24/7. Every student checks in personally, every evening, with the supervisors and counsellors on duty. The supervisors and counsellors live in the residences, ensuring round-the-clock care and supervision. Students are free to discover the surrounding neighbourhoods in Fontainebleau in small groups with adult supervision. The supervisors and counsellors help ensure that the off-campus venues are both welcoming and safe.
Curfew
The residence’s curfew is at 10:30PM. Lights out time is at 11:00PM. This means that participants must be in their residences at 10:30PM and in their own bed with the lights out at 11:00PM. Lights out will be one hour later on Friday and Saturday evenings.
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Code of Conduct
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Participants in INSEAD Summer School are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct below:
- Participants are expected to adhere to the highest standards of good citizenship, honesty, and integrity in their academic work and in their personal conduct.
- Participants are expected to show courtesy and respect for their fellow participants, for INSEAD personnel, for INSEAD Summer School external service providers as well as for the INSEAD Summer School speakers
- Participants are expected to use language in a manner that is appropriate for a healthy learning environment. Obscene, derogatory, and abusive language is prohibited.
- Participants are expected to dress appropriately on and off campus, and in a manner that reflects positively on themselves, on INSEAD Summer School, and INSEAD.
- Participants shall not take part in or facilitate discrimination of any kind, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, handicap, or intelligence.
- Participants are expected to show respect for and take good care of INSEAD property - including residences, restaurant, amphitheatres, breakout rooms and other INSEAD facilities, equipment and furnishings (for instance, course materials, computers, sports equipment, and other structures in outdoor areas).
- Participants are expected to respect the belongings of their fellow participants. They shall not borrow, use, or disturb items belonging to other participants or summer staff without clear prior permission. Participants are also expected to respect the belongings of the participants and staff of other programmes at INSEAD and other INSEAD visitors.
- Participants shall not use, possess, or distribute alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, with the exception of prescription and over-the-counter medications approved for use by the participant’s parent or guardian. Participation in an incident involving alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is cause for immediate dismissal, even if the participant did not consume or intend to consume these substances.
- Participants are expected to be well behaved and follow the instructions of the residential staff, instructional staff, and other INSEAD personnel. Unruly behavior will not be tolerated.
- Participants shall not commit acts of violence on persons or property, nor shall they threaten to commit any act of violence.
- Any behavior that could expose others to a high likelihood of injury or endangerment is prohibited. This includes horseplay, excessively aggressive athletic competition, etc.
- Participants shall not engage in any form of harassment, bullying, or hazing. Harassment consists of conduct of any type (including but not limited to cyber, written, verbal, graphic or physical conduct) which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance, or which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning, residential, or working environment.
- Participants shall not engage in any form of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes sexual conduct, or conduct with sexual overtones, which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning, residential, or working environment.
- Participants shall uphold high standards of academic integrity through honesty, trust, fairness and responsibility. Participants are expected to demonstrate a spirit of cooperation and exploration within the academic guidelines provided by their instructors, and to meet the intellectual challenges of the programme through honest effort and hard work.
- Participants shall abide by all government laws.
Participants are expected to know and to follow all rules listed in this Code of Conduct, those listed in the Rules for Participants and the Guidelines on Digital Citizenship as well as the rules presented by the residential and instructional staff during the programme.
Failure to abide by these rules may result in the immediate dismissal from the programme and removal from the INSEAD campus, even for first time offenders. Parents or guardians will be notified of violations and ask to take charge of additional charges resulting from the student’s dismissal and removal from campus.