“Be patient and keep an open mind. Building a career in the field of international development or diplomacy is not easy. Take the opportunity to learn about different topics from the wide range of courses at IBEI and from fellow students from different backgrounds and world views. Doors may open in the most unexpected places and ways.”

“My experience at IBEI was very positive. Professors are very knowledgeable, and the majority has good instruction skills and a way of keeping the lectures and discussions interesting. I enjoyed IBEI’s guest lectures and discussions on their respective papers. I miss the interesting daily conversations and debates in classes. The world has changed since 2014, and often I wish to be a fly on the wall in IBEI classrooms and hear the contemporary exchanges. The admission office and student coordinators were always extremely nice and helpful.”

"The program taught me how to think through formal theoretical approaches and conduct rigorous research, which I still use today. I also learned how to think deeply about complex issues while considering diverse perspectives. It also opened doors for me that I had previously not been able to access. The year before IBEI, I was managing a restaurant in Los Angeles. Now I work on one of the largest Tech Policy teams in the world."

"After having studied Sociology, I realized that what really appealed to me was the difference among different cultures and societies. The IBEI Master's in International Relations offered me a wide approach to this from economics, politics, culture, and law. Apart from learning all these different aspects of international relations, I’d like to highlight the experience of working with students from many other countries and learning from teachers who are experts in their respective fields."

"At 40 years old I arrived at Barcelona wanting to make a radical change in my personal and professional career. I was looking for a wide-open programme. Since I was a kid, I had been passionate about international relations. IBEI programme’s curriculum seemed fascinating, and the part-time option looked perfect, as I had a part-time job at the time. It gave me a proper framework to work on international relations’ matters. Furthermore, courses such as those on Euro-Mediterranean Relations and European Policies, in particular, were very much related with what I am currently doing." 

"The professors I had always seemed open to debate and appreciated input. They were demanding but also understanding. The support provided by my personal tutor(s) were exceptional. On the whole, they did their best to make their classes engaging and up-to-date. The courses I took gave me the vital knowledge needed to teach young people about topics of social justice. The capacity approach, Colonialism, Development models, writing proposal forms, migration, poverty, sustainability, governance and GDP are now all topics I can confidently discuss."

"I believe that academia must actively engage with the grand societal challenges of our times. Therefore, I want my academic work to contribute to a fairer society. The Mundus MAPP Program offers a unique blend of critical theory and practical skills that are key to heading in that direction. IBEI is a unique place to share and exchange ideas. I have very good memories of our debates in and after class. People from our cohort were very active and promoted exciting initiatives such as the Argus Magazine."

"My time at IBEI was intense yet rewarding. It was also a great sense of achievement when thinking how much you could work on and learn just within one year. The master programme equipped me with both theoretical and methodological knowledge that is essential to the realm of international relations. It also prepared me to work in a multicultural setting. Plus, I enjoyed studying with students from all over the world who always inspired me with different perspectives. As well, I also liked the professor/student ratio which would allow you to develop closer relationships with your classmates and professors."

"Being a Diplomat has been a challenging but rewarding experience. Not only have I been able to apply my knowledge, but I keep learning from every country and every duty I’ve been assigned. IBEI taught me a lot about adaptation to multicultural environments, respecting the diversity of opinions and perspectives on issues on the international agenda. All these tools have been very useful to me, not only to join the Foreign Service, but to live and work in different countries. Being awarded the Carolina Scholarship to study at IBEI was one of the worthiest opportunities in my life."

"It was interesting for me to get a different, non-UK perspective on IR and on the world. Meeting students and professors from different countries was a big part of the attraction for me, as well as being able to study for a bilingual Master’s degree. I learned a lot which has put me in good stead in my career. I think for anyone who wants to work in the international system (e.g. UN, international NGOs), the Master’s can be an excellent grounding. Make the most of it and don’t waste the opportunity."