Blueprints for Success: Stories and Advice from Double Blue Torch Winners

The Blue Torch awards recognizes students for their academic performance and outstanding citizenship. Yet, there were students who received the double torch as they were stellar in both categories. This article unveils the stories of three double Blue Torch winners who share their experiences and advice for current and incoming students, aspiring to follow a similar path in their journey to the 'Next Best You.'

Class Representative as an Opportunity to Create an Impact

What makes a good class representative? Notable academic performance? Wide network? Or determination to strive for the best? Victor Freydell knows it all, having been elected by his classmates as the class representative while obtaining his Master’s degree in Digital Business and Innovation. During his term, Freydell worked on himself, addressing certain weaknesses such as handling conflicts within a team. As he strengthened this area of improvement, he understood that collaborative minds create a positive and lasting impact. This helped Freydell beyond IE, especially in his current role as Regional Sales Leader at Ikea in Bogotá, Colombia.

For Freydell, being class representative marked an “intersection” of his academic and community involvement, being pushed by professors to think critically and by his friends to navigate unfamiliar territories of digital business and innovation. 

“The IE Business School community is more than just an educational institution; it is a network of support and encouragement,” said Freydell.

The role of a dedicated class representative and outstanding academic performance combined led Freydell to receiving the double Blue Torch award. Such recognition made him reflect on the unique opportunity to study abroad and be in this innovative and supportive atmosphere that permeates the classes at IE Business School.

“The Blue Torch went beyond being just an award; it celebrated the shared values we embraced on this journey— the commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging our own limits,” said Freydell.

4 pieces of advice for aspiring Blue Torch winners from Victor Freydell:

1. Time Management is Key: Allocate dedicated time for both academic responsibilities and social activities. Give your full commitment to each, recognizing that both aspects of your life deserve 100% of your attention. 

2. Practice Empathy: Understand that everyone at university has distinct goals and approaches. Recognizing and appreciating differences can lead to more harmonious collaboration. 

3. Active Listening Matters: Listening is not just hearing; it's paying attention to what others say. This skill is invaluable not only for effective teamwork on assignments but also for organizing enjoyable social gatherings after classes.

4. Smile and Bring Positivity: A positive attitude sets the tone for group projects and social interactions. Initiating with a smile and a good attitude can make group work more enjoyable and foster a collaborative spirit.

“It's like a gift I gave to myself and my family for all the economic and personal effort it took to study abroad.”
Victor Freydell, MBDI 2023, Colombia

From Impostor Syndrome to Recognition by the Community

At the beginning of the program, Nicole Baumgartner found herself lost within a class of skilled and bright-minded young professionals when she just started her Global Online MBA journey. Yet, the fears did not stop her from taking her role as a class representative; Baumgartner is accustomed to leading and supporting her team and cohort, and to completing every assignment and task to the best of her ability. Through multiple group projects, she realized that she was one of the young bright-minded professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise that made their group work successful. Eventually, Baumgartner’s colleagues motivated her to strive for high-profile jobs, such as a Site Director at CIS Abroad in Barcelona.

The double Blue Torch for her outstanding citizenship and academic excellence at IE Business School made Baumgartner feel recognized for her work and dedication. She’s seen how “incredible and accomplished” the IE community is, but this time she acknowledged that she was able to leave her mark.

“Seeing the IE auditorium filled with so many other Blue Torch students from different programs and backgrounds was so fulfilling, knowing that IE gives so many tools to become the best version of themselves while completing their programs,” said Baumgartner.

5 pieces of advice for aspiring Blue Torch winners from Nicole Baumgartner: 

1. Achieve Academic Balance: A balance of working hard on your own accord, but also supporting your teammates helps you engage and create a bond with them that will last beyond your projects, but in your personal and professional life. 

2. Foster Positive Team Dynamics: It is always better to build your team up rather than break them down. Find ways to work with your classmates that help recognize the value that they bring to the table and offer clear and supportive feedback. 

3. Prioritize Work-Life Balance: Make sure that you fill your cup in all these areas. It can be hard when you so focused on achieving academic excellence to make room for other things in life.

4. Embrace Community Connection: GOMBA Feb 22’ has a WhatsApp group called ‘Beer Club’ where we send a picture of our beers from all around the world. It allows us to continue to build on our community and friendships.

5. Cherish IE Connection: Remember that the connections and community that you make and create at IE will be your most important takeaway. I don’t remember what grade I received on my Finance final, but I do remember that my classmates and I supported each other when we were studying for that exam.

“Without the feedback and support from my classmates, I don’t know if I would have accepted my current job in Barcelona and stepped outside of my professional comfort zone.”
Nicole Baumgartner, GOMBA 2023, United States of America

Leading a Club to Connect Classroom Learning with Community Involvement

Taking an active part in IE Business School community means not only being a class representative but also a club officer. Likewise, John Shim combined his role of the class delegate with the vice-presidency at IE Consulting Club, while studying the International MBA. Such ‘fusion’ of activities made Shim collaborate with driven students from all levels of the institution as well as work with current professionals to create a learning community by applying the classroom knowledge. For him, it was a transformational journey, where faculty members and his peers guided him towards his ‘Next Best You’ that, eventually, led him to the position of Senior Associate at Strategy& in Dubai, UAE.

“The supportive environment, diverse perspectives, and encouragement from both faculty and peers have majorly impacted my drive to excel,” said Shim.

Shim pictured receiving the double Blue Torch award as an embracement of each accomplishment, no matter how big or small it may have been. This recognition reaffirmed his idea that education has much more meaning than grades - it is also about making a tangible impact on the community.

“Embellishing what each individual has accomplished at each step truly made me cherish the moments of hard work and the result in itself,” said Shim.

5 pieces of advice for aspiring Blue Torch winners from John Shim: 

1. Prioritize: Efficiently manage time by creating a schedule that allocates dedicated time for studies, pleasures, and community involvement. 

2. Seek Synergy: Look for opportunities where academic pursuits can be aligned with community initiatives, maximizing impact while enhancing learning. 

3. Reflect: Regularly assess your commitments, recalibrate when necessary, and adapt your approach to strike a healthy balance between academia and community engagement. 

4. Collaborate: Embrace teamwork by collaborating with peers, sharing experiences, and leveraging collective strengths. 

5. Follow Passion and Growth Mindset: Pursue subjects, engagements, and relationships that genuinely inspire and motivate you.

“Engaging with a passionate and intelligent group of professionals while taking part in student body engagements as the class rep as well as club officer activities has bolstered my experience at the program.”
John Shim, IMBA 2023, Canada

The success stories of Victor Freydell, Nicole Baumgartner, and John Shim, as double Blue Torch winners at IE Business School, showcase the transformative power of academic excellence combined with active community engagement, power that guides students towards their ‘Next Best You’. We hope to inspire aspiring IE Blue Torch winners, encouraging them to reflect, prioritize, and follow their passions with a growth mindset. Stay tuned for more double torch spotlights.