Marina Doherty

Marina Doherty, originally from Seattle, took up the opportunity to study in Madrid after her family relocated to Spain. Marina is bilingual as her mother is originally from Galicia, so she says she’s always felt connected to the country.

Marina attended Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania, where she majored in Government and International Relations. She did an exchange program in Tokyo, Japan in her junior year. She’d been studying the Japanese language for two years prior to going to Tokyo, which she says gave her a good foundation to build upon. 

During and after graduating from university, she worked several jobs—including in retail, insurance, at a doctor's office and in the restaurant industry. But none of them ignited any passion or had any relevance to her university major. She chose to pursue a master’s degree so that she could enter a career based on something she had studied and enjoyed.

Marina chose the Master in International Development at IE University because she knew others who had previously attended and “only had wonderful things to say about their experience.” Additionally, she felt that IE University's goal of incorporating Liquid Learning into education was in tune with her personal learning goals, and it would be a perfect fit for her. 

She chose the Master in International Development because she appreciated how niched it was in its focus on the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. She felt that it would help her establish some of the hard skills she needed, while fine-tuning her soft skills.

Marina says the best part of her IE University experience has been attending events coordinated by her class, particularly when students share their cultures. One example was an evening in an Ethiopian restaurant in Madrid with their Results Based Management Professor, Borja Santos Porras. One of her classmates was from Ethiopia, so was able to explain what each dish was, how to eat it, and give them insight on both historical and cultural aspects of Ethiopian cuisine. Marina says it encapsulated one of the main reasons she joined the program—to continue expanding her worldview.

Inside the classroom, so far her favorite course has been the Political Economy of Climate Change. She says she had to question everything she thought she knew about climate change, and she kept thinking about the material long after the course was over. She admired how the professor made difficult data easy to interpret and empowered the class to formulate thoughtful discussions. As for extracurriculars, she occasionally attends intramural volleyball sessions at IE University, though not as often as she wishes.

Marina is certainly enjoying Madrid, and particularly recommends the cultural center, CaixaForum. She recently went to an exhibition there that showcased the life of Nikola Tesla in what she describes as “an incredibly interactive way.” She adds that the exhibits change every six months or so, and since there’s a student discount, it’s “a must-see.” She talks positively about the city generally, and believes that “once you find your favorite places and routines, it won't seem so intimidating.”

Marina says her overall experience at IE University has been “eye-opening and fascinating” and she feels as though she belongs here, and is exactly where she needs to be. It’s given her a path that feels right, and she says she’s grateful for the endless opportunities that have come her way. She’s constantly being challenged in her courses, while still having the freedom to engage in social endeavors, which is exactly what she signed up for. 

Her experience has been enriching and has exceeded her expectations in every way. Marina hopes the next two terms will continue to help her establish balance, and ultimately help mold her into the person she aspires to be. We look forward to seeing her journey.