Alumni Professional Stories
Lara Sampaio
IBEI alumni 2014-2016, Researcher and Public Policy Specialist at the Brazilian Ministry of Economics, Brasilia (Brazil).
"A key benefit from the master course was the advancement of my knowledge in research theory and methods. I followed different courses, both at CEU and at IBEI, that gave me a solid understanding of the possibilities and limitations of doing research in the social field. Additionally, the courses that discussed poverty reduction and development put me in contact with recent discussions on these topics."
Ana García Juanatey
IBEI alumni 2006-2007, Professor at CEI International Affairs, Barcelona (Spain).
"I chose IBEI’s Master because it had great professors and was interdisciplinary and research-oriented; in addition to that, it was based in Barcelona, a city I wanted to live in. I do have great memories, but I must admit it was an intense year as we had to work a lot. The quality of the teaching was excellent, as I expected, so I enjoyed the courses very much, as well as the international environment."
Manuel Herrera
IBEI alumni 2017-2018, Intelligence Analyst at Accenture, Lisbon (Portugal).
"My experience at IBEI can only be described as extremely positive. Both at the level of studies/knowledge and at the level of human relations, my feeling is one of general satisfaction. Not only does IBEI have a staff of great teachers with recognized national and international prestige, but they are also empathetic and professional enough to accompany and help the student throughout the entire intellectual formation process. Likewise, at the student level, I have met some really extraordinary people and I have kept many friends from my time at the centre".
Mina Popović
IBEI Alumni 2013-14, Programme Assistant at The South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons/UNDP, Belgrade (Serbia).
"My experience at IBEI was definitely beyond my expectations. IBEI’s course of study enabled me to gain a great deal of both theoretical and practical knowledge in the realm of international relations. The courses prepared me for my future working career and instilled added passion to my already interest in this field. I learned so much in just one year! My professors were outstanding and I particularly enjoyed the fact that they came from diverse backgrounds."
Raimon Puigjaner
IBEI Alumni 2006-07, Co-founder & Partner at Roots for Sustainability and President at B Lab Spain, Barcelona (Spain).
"I assume that all IBEI students have an interest and are motivated to address global challenges. Thus, I would encourage them to think out of the box and use the knowledge they gain in unconventional manners. Because we are experiencing a systemic change, and the world needs innovative responses for challenging uncertainties."
Sanja Bauer-Mitranic
IBEI Alumni 2013-14, currently working as Policy Officer at the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, Vienna (Austria).
"I miss receiving high quality education and meeting ambitious people from around the world while at the same time living in a Mediterranean city that gives you positive energy for pursuing your dreams. Even now, 5 years after graduation, I am convinced that it was the best choice for me to study at IBEI."
Robert Bach Casanovas
IBEI Alumni 2008-09, currently working as the Director of the Nairobi office – East African Markets, of Catalonia Trade & Investment, Nairobi (Kenya).
"Working in African countries is a challenging job and requires for cultural adaptation. Spending a full year immersed in a group of students from the five continents and very different backgrounds opened my mind and curiosity, which is a requirement in my current work. The master programme also provided me with analytical skills and a critical attitude, which I deem useful not only for the work I do right now but for life in general. Overall, beyond the content of the courses, the master programme supported the growth of my technical, social, and organizational skills."
Diego Fernandez Fernandez
IBEI Alumni 2013-14, currently working as a Senior Analyst at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, London (United Kingdom).
"I chose IBEI Master’s in International Relations because I was passionate about learning about international relations between countries. IBEI seemed a natural choice for me if I wanted to be in an international study environment in Spain. The Master’s at IBEI gave me a broad perspective about the different topic clusters in the realm of international relations, taught me a great deal about how to be more analytical, and gave me the confidence that I needed to work in an international environment"
Emili Aldabó Ortuño
IBEI Alumni 2009-11, currently working as a Startup Project Manager Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona (Spain).
"It was two intense years that I remember very intensely. For me it was very positive to be part of the IBEI community. The Master gave me an international dimension to my career, and I’m fully satisfied with my expectations. Now, I’m working as advisor of global start-up's in the achievement of goals, strategic growth, scale up and promoting innovation processes."
Felipe Ochoa Mogrovejo
IBEI Alumni 2017-18, currently working as a Coordinator of the Directorate General for Students at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito (Ecuador).
"My experience at IBEI could be described as a merge between a strict academic environment and the perks of living in Barcelona for a year with 140 people from at least 40 different countries around the world. To live an experience where there is a balance between learning from professors with admirable academic backgrounds and sharing interesting opinions with a variety of people with different perspectives was, without a doubt, an unforgettable experience"