I grew up in Valladolid, a medium-sized city in the northwest of Spain. Although I’ve spent my whole life there, I was exposed to language and culture early on. I went to the French school, Lycée Français de Castilla y León, which combined French, Spanish and English in the classroom and French and Spanish culture in the halls. The world of plurilingualism was embedded in my day-to-day since I was three, naturally leading to a passion to discover how our world works.
The international environment at IE University provides the rewarding opportunity to learn about other cultures from the comfort of my home country, which is what initially drew me in. Then I began to discover other details that further solidified my choice. I have always studied in French, so the fact that the programs are taught mainly in English was another plus for me. Additionally, I knew I wanted to combine economics and international relations because they were my favorite subjects in high school and they are highly interconnected. The dual degree was the perfect fit, offering a solid foundation both in economics and in understanding geopolitical and social complexities.
Since arriving at IE University, I know I made the right decision. I’m blown away by the number of opportunities on offer, from clubs and labs to seminars in diverse fields including finance and well-being. The university gives you endless possibilities to get involved and gain hands-on experience. I am currently involved in the Mentorship Society, which is a group of students who guide future first-year students. I am grateful for this experience, as it’s allowed me to meet first- and second-year students from other programs, as well as help me grow personally and professionally.
Although it may sound clichéd, I believe that you truly begin to live in peace when you care more about your own life than how others are living theirs. I am focusing on myself and my goals, and it seems to be working out quite well.
Marta Lázaro
Speaking of growth, IE University has helped me become more outgoing and open-minded. Living in Segovia makes it easy to make new friends from different programs—you always run into the same people. Growing my personal network has been an important part of my experience. Professionally speaking, the university offers us ways to immerse ourselves in the world of work from day one. Whether it be a lab, an internship or an experience, IE University provides countless tools and resources.
When I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, reading and simply wandering the streets of Segovia. I read for pleasure, but I also read the news and other media outlets to keep myself well-informed. I think my endless curiosity is fitting for the international relations side of my program.
As of right now, what I want for the future isn’t entirely clear. I started the dual degree program without a preference for either degree, so I would like to find a way to combine them in my future career. Working in the private sector is something that interests me currently, but I’ve also been attracted to international institutions. I see myself as a consultant or an economics advisor in an international company.
I am enjoying my time at IE University and am looking forward to what the future holds. I try to live each day by the idea “live and let live.”