Expat Student has got back in touch with one of our former pupils, Sasha, who is in the first year at prestigious IE Business School in Madrid. IE Madrid offers a range of degrees for students with varied ambitions and objectives. The degrees offered also include double degrees, and the subjects range from commerce aux international relations ouch PEOPLE (philosophy, politics, law and economics).
Read on to find out about Sasha's experience with her studies at IE Madrid, the way she adapted to university life and what she prefers about Madrid.
Studying at IE in Madrid
Sasha studied in the field of Humanities. EShe easily adapted to business studies with the help of her tutors. Moving from arts and philosophy to learning economics and corporate finance was a adaptation for which Sasha was prepared and which she found gratifying. Even getting back into mathematics, which wasn't Sasha's favourite subject before starting university, turned out to be fascinating. Sasha states: «Maths is now one of my favourite classes and I'm doing well at it.»
As well as mathematics classes, Sasha has also started taking Spanish classes, offered at the IE to help students integrate into the country. The objective is to bring students up to B2 level (CEFR) and the classes generally take place in the evening, after the main classes. There are three course levels for different abilities; Sasha was placed in the highest level due to her proficiency in French and Italian. Once they reach the B2 level, students are no longer required to take Spanish classes.
Sasha's favourite class at IE is called Building Powerful Relationships and is about the public speaking. She says: «At first, it was quite scary because you have to speak in front of loads of people you don't know and who will be in your classes for the next two years, but I gained confidence and we had a lot of fun. I also really like my financial accounting classes. However, learning to code in Python is very difficult, but a lot of fun, and it feels so good when our program works.”
At IE University in Madrid, attendance are in the classes verified, what Sasha found unusual At first. She told us: «It seemed strange to me at first, but it is actually very good, because it helps a lot to get used to a new way of learning in a new city and a new university. You don't feel completely lost among all the new students.".
I have friends who study in other countries and if you don't want to come to class, you don't have to, which sometimes has its advantages, but it means it's very easy to get lost in your studies. Having to come to class helped me stay on track, both in my studies and in managing my time to have a social life.”
Friendships at IE Madrid
Attending all the classes also allowed Sasha to make easily friends. There are around 60 students per class. Sasha explains: «We are very close to one another in our classes, we know each other well. Everyone has their own group, but we let's mix between us. The IE people are very nice and most of them are down-to-earth.»
Making friends at university can sometimes feel different from making friends at school, but Sasha found that the learning style at IE University helped her forge close friendships, and she is friends with many of her classmates and other students, even though she doesn’t live in university accommodation.
Life abroad
Living in Madrid
All of Sasha's classes take place on campus, in the’IE Tower, which she describes as «very cool, has a great view and is well designed». Sasha lives about half an hour by public transport from the Tower, in central Madrid. The journey between Sasha's home and the IE campus is very easy, on a single metro line, with many other IE students. Sasha told Expat Student: «Madrid is a such a pleasant city for studying, it is so underrated. It is lovely, everyone is very laid-back, happy and smiling. It really is. living and there is always something to do. Everything is within walking distance, it’s a pleasant way of life.
Sasha lives in a private accommodation and is renting a room through an agency. She chose this option because it was cheaper than living in HE accommodation, but she has a lot of friends who like living in the halls of residence. Halls of residence make it possible to meet students who are studying at different universities and taking different courses. Next year, Sasha will move into a flat with two of her friends.
Studying in Segovia
IE students can choose between two sites for their first two years of study. Sasha chose to live in the centre of Madrid and study at the IE Tower, but she could have chosen to live in Segovia, in the convent of Santa Cruz la Real, a historic building and a heritage site. All students live in the centre of Madrid for their third and fourth year, but for those who wish to live in an environment calmer and less urban for their first two years, Segovia is the ideal choice. Segovia is a historic city set in the heart of a magnificent natural landscape, just thirty minutes from Madrid by high-speed train.
Sasha a many friends who live in Segovia. The people I know really like it there and it seems that you feel at home very quickly. Many people take an apartment in Segovia rather than living in residences and go to Madrid for the weekend. Many events organised by IE are taking place in Segovia, so that the students from both campuses mix together.”
Professional Experience and Careers at IE Madrid
The IE in Madrid offers many opportunities to gain work experience and to forge contacts with industry professionals. The IE organises what it calls« labs »where it is possible to do placements through the university. Students work in teams and are assigned a project or a problem by a company. They collaborate with this company to find a solution and write a report on their work at the end of the placement, which generally lasts two months.
Sasha wanted to do her placement in the field of arts and therefore looked for an opportunity independent of her studies. She is currently working as an intern in a art gallery and acquires transferable skills that she will be able to use in her future studies and career.
Studying abroad with IE Madrid
It is in the second year of study at the IE that students can apply for their period of study in the foreigner third-year student. Sasha would like to travel to a distant country like Australia or Argentina. Study abroad options are varied, but if IE Madrid does not offer the location where the student would like to study, the students can submit a request to the university.
Studying in Spain
Among the most popular study destinations in Europe, Spain stands out for its rich cultural heritage, pleasant climate and quality education system. Whether you are planning to study in Madrid, Barcelona or Seville, you will discover a multitude of study programmes suited to your career aspirations. Expat Student tells you everything to make your veterinary studies in Spain or some medicine studies and guides you through the application process at Spanish universities. We help you understand the visa requirements and give you valuable advice for adapting to life in Spain. In addition, we offer a dedicated section for student testimonials who chose to continue their studies in Spain. Their experience will give you a valuable insight into what student life in Spain is really like.
Expat Student can help you achieve your ambitions at IE University in Madrid
IE Madrid Business School is a school prestigious perfect for those with goals in the sector of business. Expat Student can provide you with Advice and one one-to-one support at each stage of your application, according to your strengths and weaknesses.
The application criteria for IE Madrid are “holistic”and are not based solely on your studies or your grades. This allows you to highlight all of your qualities who make you a excellent student, but this can also be daunting for a candidate. Expat Student can help you prepare for IE University's assessments, including the video, the interview and the entrance test, and make sure you are able to showcase your best qualities.
If you are interested in IE Madrid, you will find further information in the following article, as well as an overview of other business schools in Spain.
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