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Beatriz Del Barrio: Opening doors to the future at IE University

13 January, 2022

Beatriz chose to come to IE University for various reasons: its high academic prestige, the broad number of programs on offer, and the dynamic learning environment. Having lived all over the world, the diverse, international student body also appealed to Beatriz. When applying to university, she didn’t have a clear career path in mind, so she chose the Bachelor in Business Administration to open doors to infinite future opportunities.

“My experience at IE University has been great. Even in such unique and difficult times, IE University has always made the effort to maintain a resilient student body and create a supportive community.”

Throughout her time at IE University, Beatriz has enjoyed her experience. Even through the pandemic, IE University maintained its resilient student body and supportive community, and Beatriz has made friends for life from all over the world. Her classes have also been a window into the future, and she’s enjoyed seeing the vast array of careers she could pursue. Having made the move from Mexico City, Beatriz’s goal when she first arrived in Madrid was to make friends, adapt to a new lifestyle, and focus on her studies. Now she’s developed herself in that respect, she’s looking to get more involved with student clubs and initiatives.

Beatriz is a proud member of IE University’s global community. She finds that diversity at IE University encourages insightful conversations between students and faculty, and believes that making these connections across the community will be pivotal to her professional and personal success. In fact, Beatriz has already made strides with her professional career. With her sights set on business success, she has completed a digital marketing internship at Condé Nast, obtaining the position completely independently. Recently, she has been making use of IE Talent & Careers, checking the weekly newsletter for opportunities that pique her interest. Her career advisor has also been supportive in helping her to find the beginnings of her path.

Thanks to all of this and the support available at IE University, Beatriz has proudly accepted her second internship, this time at Estée Lauder. Since she is interested in the luxury industry—specifically luxury fashion—Beatriz feels that this placement will give her valuable experience and help her to narrow down her ambitions. That being said, she is staying open to discovering which sector best aligns with her passions.

Studying her program has also opened her eyes to the different aspects within a business, and she’s discovered new interests as well as potential areas for future growth. Whichever sector Beatriz decides to pursue, her program at IE University will equip her with a broad knowledge and networks base, launching her into a world of opportunities.

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Abdul Salam

Abdul is originally from Pakistan, but has lived and studied around the world. His global education experience has made him eager to learn about different cultures and has allowed him to gain new perspectives.

He moved to the US for a year when he was 15 as part of the Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange & Study program. After this, Abdul attended the United World College in the Netherlands to complete his International Baccalaureate high school diploma. In fact, he earned a full scholarship to study there—one of his greatest achievements considering the low intake of Pakistani students each year. Building upon his international outlook, Abdul chose IE University thanks to its tight-knit community and his program’s professional approach, which he believes has helped him greatly on his educational journey. What’s more, Abdul believes that IE University’s focus on being analytical and efficient is not something that all universities offer. He also enjoys working with others so that he can learn from their experiences and take his understanding of the world beyond the classroom.

Outside of his studies, Abdul takes part in a range of activities. He was a class representative for two academic years, and worked his way up from a member of the academic committee, to advisor to the president, and finally to president of the student government in 2021. He has also interned in the IE University Marketing Department, is the founder and director of IE Think podcasts, and is the campus director for the Hult Prize. Moreover, Abdul is a valued member of the hockey team. His other hobbies include tennis, reading about the banking industry, day trading and exploring philosophical questions.

Abdul is not afraid to dream big and strive for the best, but stays away from the idea of being a perfectionist. In the not too distant future, he sees himself working as a financial analyst alongside his master’s. He then plans to start his own firm that combines both customer service and research to create a customer-centric banking system.

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