Rebecca Zlatkin
I grew up in Westport, a small town in Connecticut. Since then, I’ve traveled extensively throughout the world and settled in different cities across Europe and the US, both for academic and professional purposes. I would describe myself as an inquisitive, ambitious and sociable individual who enjoys engaging in cross-cultural experiences and exploration. I’m also interested in international relations and trade and, through my travels, have developed a broad worldview.
“One thing that sets IE University apart is that it has a clear focus on practical education and is very career oriented.”
Leveraging the unique OAS-IE Americas Fellowship program to achieve her goals
Rebecca Zlatkin is a global citizen who has lived in many parts of the world through the years. She has a cosmopolitan background, with a paternal grandfather from Poland and her father born in Montreal, Canada. She’s also a dual citizen of both the US and Europe, allowing her to travel freely in pursuit of her goals. This broad immigration history, combined with her experience during her young-adult life living abroad in various countries, has helped Rebecca develop bilingualism and a robust global outlook.
She loves exploring history, cultures, languages and world events. This has always fueled her enthusiasm for traveling the world, making new friends and signing up for international programs for her postgraduate studies. That many people Rebecca already knew in Madrid had ties to IE University was another factor in her decision to enroll: most of her closest friends were current or former undergraduate or postgraduate students, with some even working at the institution.
After studying political science and economics at Wellesley College, she decided to enroll at IE University to pursue her Master in International Relations. However, Rebecca focused on building a strong, international profile in the interim, racking up an impressive list of professional roles and accomplishments along the way.
She has previously worked as the language and culture assistant for North America in the Spanish Ministry of Education; and as a community affairs liaison and public affairs fellow for New York State Assemblymember, Brian Barnwell, among other positions. More recently, Rebbeca’s remarkable performance during the master’s degree program—where she graduated on the Dean’s List—has also allowed her to participate in a unique partnership with the Organization of American States (OAS).
While pursuing her Master in International Relations, Rebecca expanded her linguistic repertoire by studying Spanish and French. She was also offered a place in the Eisenhower Global Scholar Program and the prestigious OAS-IE Americas Fellowship program. The latter allowed her to spend her post-graduation years in Washington, DC, learning and working for the OAS, one of the oldest multilateral organizations in the world. Here, she could put the theoretical knowledge and practical experience gained through the program to good use.
“I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to attend my master’s degree program as an Eisenhower Global Scholar.”
Her work in the organization revolved around the Department of Economic Development, where she primarily dealt with competitiveness and technology issues. One of Rebecca’s most notable contributions was helping the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) achieve its financial inclusion, technology, digital transformation, blockchain and artificial intelligence goals. She also acted as a liaison between various American and international stakeholders and helped organize the Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) Program.
The OAS was a breath of fresh air for Rebecca in terms of its diversity and the wide array of languages utilized in its operations. In her opinion, the global scope of the Master in International Relations gave her the tools to succeed in the organization and effectively tackle today's globalized world.
Throughout the master’s degree program, she also benefited from IE University’s connections to European organizations like the OECD and the European Commission. Rebecca believes that these ties to international institutions offer students a window into the world outside America and the European Union.
Additionally, Rebecca thought it was exceptional to have professors from other countries in her classes because they gave her a better grasp of policy from a European viewpoint. As an American-born and also as a Canadian and Polish citizen, this was especially significant for her career development. She gained a more in-depth perspective on diplomacy and leadership from interacting with people from different walks of life.
After being given countless chances thanks to her Master in International Relations, Rebecca knows that her capstone project, alongside collaborating with actual international and multilateral organizations, empowered her to thrive in the real world of work. Ultimately, she gained insight into the inner workings of multilateral organizations and was exposed to various cultures and languages, which helped her hone her ability to adapt quickly to new situations.
Rebecca’s long-held interest in how technology influences business, government and society drives her desire for a global career that combines culture, creativity, global commerce, environmental responsibility and cutting-edge research. She looks forward to getting more chances to contribute to the future of digital transformation and economic growth around the world.