Xingxu ma
I grew up in China, where I completed my bachelor’s in Hispanic philology at Shandong University. After university, I worked as a film journalist and had the opportunity to cover international film festivals. This interest in media led me to pursue a master’s in communication, society and learning at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. I’ve always been intrigued by communication and society, and IE University gave me the chance to earn my second master’s degree thanks to the CSC-IE Scholarship.
“The CSC-IE Scholarship provides an excellent opportunity for all young people interested in joining international organizations and promoting sustainable development to learn and exchange with their peers from all over the world.”
Creating a dialogue for sustainability
Fascinated by how communication can bring people together for the common good, Xingxu Ma has always wanted to find a way to combine his two interests. So, after studying in Barcelona, he wanted to find a way to continue exploring this curiosity, which led him to the Master in International Development at IE University.
As someone interested in working with international organizations in promoting sustainable development, Xingxu knew the program was a perfect fit. He discovered the CSC-IE Scholarship for Sustainable Development for Chinese Candidates and saw it as an excellent opportunity to move his career forward. This unique collaboration between the China Scholarship Council and IE University provides full scholarships to academically gifted Chinese students, and Xingxu fit the criterion. He was awarded the scholarship, making the chance to pursue this program a reality.
More than just launching his career, Xingxu was looking for personal growth within the program. The invaluable networking and social opportunities for students from different programs to get together was another driving factor behind his decision to apply. This melting pot of cultural backgrounds and experiences, as well as the huge range of activities on offer, have since given Xingxu the opportunity to broaden his horizons and improve his social skills.
When considering a program in international development, IE University’s diverse community and learning environment was a big draw. The fact that the curriculum was designed in collaboration with the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) made the Master in International Development a perfect fit for what Xingxu was looking for. What’s more, the experienced faculty not only helps enhance his understanding of different UN agencies but also gives him more confidence to work with teammates efficiently in a multicultural setting. For someone interested in media and communication, this cross-cultural aspect was a game changer.
Xingxu’s favorite class so far has been Political Economy of Climate Change, taught by climate change expert Francisco Seijo. Thanks to Seijo’s experience and knowledge of the field, students were exposed to a different perspective of how climate change affects human life and an understanding of the challenges of migration. Xingxu came away with a desire to explore the possibilities of cross-governmental cooperation to address such issues. Learning academic concepts in class is one thing, but IE University also brought those ideas to life with presentations from different foundations and NGOs at the IE University Sustainability Day.
“IE University has provided invaluable networking and social opportunities for students from different programs and faculties with various cultural backgrounds.”
Other activities that he’s really enjoyed throughout his IE Experience included the chance to meet UN Deputy General Secretary Amina J. Mohammed and hear about her experience in the environmental field. Struck by her optimism and positive approach to the future of the planet, Xingxu was really excited to have the opportunity to ask her about her expectations for the G20 Summit. As a former film journalist, Xingxu was also thrilled to have the chance to meet producer Denis Pedregosa at the Film and Industry Club. The fascinating insights that he gleaned from this experienced producer of cross-border film collaborations was an unforgettable part of his journey to date.
But Xingxu’s journey hasn’t only revolved around classes and events. Meeting like-minded people and having fun is a big part of the IE Experience and Xingxu has thoroughly enjoyed joining in social events whenever he has the chance. The Diwali festival, organized by the IE Indian Club was one such occasion. Sampling lots of delicious Indian food and dancing the night away was a great way to put multiculturalism into practice!
Thankful for the opportunities presented to him by the CSC-IE Scholarship, Xingxu reflects on the fierce competition he faced to earn one of the 20 available spots. His tips for anyone hoping to apply include learning about the curriculum in advance on the IE University website and booking a consultation session with IE University during the application stage for a bit of personalized advice. What’s more, he suggests that future applicants make sure to leave enough time to prepare all the paperwork and to read the list of required documents carefully. But perhaps Xingxu’s most important tip is to get in the habit of reading the news as much as possible to keep up with current events, in preparation for the fast-paced and challenging program.
Looking towards the future, Xingxu would like to work with UNESCO. A firm believer in the power of storytelling to effect change, he hopes to use his experience in media and in the Master in International Development to preserve languages and cultures that are at risk of extinction. The CSC-IE Scholarship has been an important step on that journey to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and access to justice for all.
