Cami Spellman
I grew up living in the state of Wisconsin with my parents and two brothers, going on to earn a Bachelor of Science in International Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before moving to Spain, I completed several prestigious internships, both in the US and abroad. I’m an adventurous person and always up for a challenge, so I decided to come to IE University to learn more about how I can use my privileges to advocate for others.
“The best part of IE University is the chance to learn under top professors and alongside classmates whose experiences inspire me to better myself every day.”
An education built on helping others
When she was younger, Cami Spellman wanted a career where she could help people and nurtured aspirations of becoming a doctor. However, in advancing her education, she discovered a passion for human rights that would allow her to use her privileges to make a positive impact on her community and the world at large.
True to her adventurous spirit, Cami also actively participated in athletics as a member of the UW Women's Rowing team. She went on to hold various internships with several leading organizations after graduation, including the Fullbright Commission in Chile and the UW Carbone Cancer Center.
When it came time for Cami to choose where to take her education next, IE University emerged as a choice without parallel when it came to the opportunities, resources and networking potential it offered to its students. It was also the perfect chance to live abroad and broaden her perspective.
“I never expected to enjoy coding or learning game theory, but I find myself excited for every class and challenging myself to defy even my own expectations.”
Through her Master in International Relations, Cami is building on the knowledge she has gained thus far to further her capacity for advocacy. She hopes to gain invaluable tools that will help her better understand and stand for those who have been less fortunate in receiving educational opportunities. “The best part of studying at IE University is the chance to learn from top professors and alongside classmates whose experience inspires me to better myself every day,” she notes.
So far, Cami has particularly enjoyed exploring the dynamic city of Madrid. Although she admits that it is “very different from the college football town” she grew up in, Cami has found a new home in what she describes as “a stellar place to live and study.” In particular, she has been enjoying the city’s offering of tasty dishes, noting her top pick is FOUR Madrid—a restaurant that is famous for its chicken kimchi sandwiches. Her other regular haunt is Sala Equis, which is a cinema renowned for its trendy art-house movies.
In the classroom, one of Cami’s favorite courses has been IR Theory and Strategy with professor Daniel Kselman, who specializes in democracy, economic development and political governance. She was also pleasantly surprised by the Probability and Statistics class taught by professor Andrew Bertoli. Although topics like coding and game theory never interested her in the past, Cami has found herself looking forward to each lesson and has enjoyed surpassing her expectations of what she could achieve.
Overall, Cami describes her experience up to this point as “fantastic.” She emphasizes that IE University is a welcoming institution that genuinely cares about the student experience—something she first observed during her admissions interviews and that has continued throughout her time here. It is also clear that the university is invested in its students’ futures and this extra support makes Cami even more excited to continue on her journey toward personal, academic and professional growth.
You can find out more about Cami on Linkedin or Instagram.
