Jacqueline Williams
I chose the MIR at IE for a number of reasons. First, I love Madrid, and the short time I spent studying abroad at Universidad Complutense during my undergraduate career, wasn’t enough time to take advantage of everything the city has to offer. I had wanted to come back and explore the city, get to know its’ people and understand and appreciate its’ culture and history further since I had left. Secondly, as a Mexican American who can trace my ancestry back to Spain, it was and still is important to me that I continue to use and better my Spanish speaking skills. Thirdly, not only is IE a well-known prestigious multi-cultural school, but it’s also much more affordable than many of the master’s programs in the United States! Fourth and lastly, I was fortunate enough to spend a year at IE with classmates from 17 other countries who speak a combination of 36 other languages. They shared their stories and experiences with me, they challenged me and my beliefs and they became my support system throughout the program.
“I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.” This is basically my mantra and a quote taken from E.B. White.
As a native of central New York, I decided to head south for college to attend the Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C. from 2009-2013 where I received a Bachelor’s in Politics with a focus in International Relations, as well as a Minor Degree in Spanish. During my time as an undergraduate student, I participated in one of CUA’s A Capella vocal groups as well as volunteered with the international co-ed community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. On top of my studies and extracurriculars, I was fortunate enough to intern with the Embassy of Peru in the Office of Public Diplomacy and with the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence under the Obama administration.
After graduating, I moved to Lima, Peru where I worked for several months with the NGO Krochet Kids International. Upon returning to D.C., I worked on a USAID funded project at FHI 360, a well-known non-profit human development organization. After some time at FHI 360, I headed back to upstate, New York to work on the Democratic Primary Race in the 24th Congressional District. Once the election ended, I decided to return to Madrid and continue my education in International Relations at IE.
I developed influential relationships with my attentive professors and lifelong friendships with many of my classmates.
During my time at IE, I served as Class Representative, as an IE Ambassador and received the IE Fellow Scholarship for the Master in International Relation’s Program (2016-2017). I also took advantage of the different clubs and activities the school has to offer, such as the Yoga Club, the Women in Business Club, the IE Music Club and the International Relations Club, to name a few. I developed influential relationships with my attentive professors and lifelong friendships with many of my classmates.
With my new friends I was able to travel, not only all around Spain, but to different cities across The United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal,The United Arab Emirates, Belgium, The Netherlands and Malta. Some of my favorite memories include working for UNICEF España with my capstone project classmates, participating in the IE Weekend and Ambassador events, attending the annual IE Winter Ball at the Hotel Ritz, celebrating International Women’s Day, attending and working the IE Global Village, celebrating birthdays, traveling, exploring and simply growing and learning together with my classmates. I gained a group of amazing friends from all over the world who continue to inspire me.
I gained a group of amazing friends from all over the world who continue to inspire me.
As young people among my generation begin to assume their roles as the new global leaders, in a world where technology continues to enhance universal human connection, I believe it is now more important than ever for young men and women to study and learn in multi-cultural classrooms. My experience at IE gave me the opportunity to study and learn from professors and classmates from all across the globe who inspired me to be more understanding, to strive to achieve more and to leave this world better than I found it. I’m so grateful to have had the IE experience that I did and I would highly recommend it to any prospective student seeking to higher their education at an internationally diverse institution.