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To: All
Hello to all!
In the past few months many Israelis turned to me with questions about IE business school in Madrid. The purpose of this post is to give those of you who are interested in studying here an idea of what it’s like to study in IE and live in Madrid. For the sake of clarity I will try to divide this long post into the different aspects.
Reputation and rankings –
IE’s MBA is a one year program (13 months including summer vacation) which is constantly ranked as one of the top 5 business schools in Europe. In the last few years the program was ranked top 10 worldwide by the important rankings (Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek).
Diversity –
IE is considered to be one of the most international business schools in the world and it surely feels like it is. ~60 nationalities are represented in the program ( ~80 nationalities including other programs, such as the executive MBA, etc.) and no single nationality comprises more than 10 percent of the student body. I met here very divers, smart and sociable group of people .The school values teamwork and hence most assignments are group assignments. 6-7 students work groups are assigned in the beginning of each term with a focus on diversity within the group. For example, my work group members are: a marketer from Coca Cola Mexico, a consultant from Accenture Italy, a brand manager from Craft Portugal, an entrepreneur from Canada and an engineer /project manager from a large industrial company in Korea.
This year biggest nationalities in school are: USA, India, and Italy.
IE is considered to be one of the most international business schools in the world and it surely feels like it is. ~60 nationalities are represented in the program ( ~80 nationalities including other programs, such as the executive MBA, etc.) and no single nationality comprises more than 10 percent of the student body. I met here very divers, smart and sociable group of people .The school values teamwork and hence most assignments are group assignments. 6-7 students work groups are assigned in the beginning of each term with a focus on diversity within the group. For example, my work group members are: a marketer from Coca Cola Mexico, a consultant from Accenture Italy, a brand manager from Craft Portugal, an entrepreneur from Canada and an engineer /project manager from a large industrial company in Korea.
This year biggest nationalities in school are: USA, India, and Italy.
The Israeli aspect –
This year we are 5 Israelis in program. In the last few years the school has made a big effort to attract students from Israel (e.g. they are negotiating loans for Israelis with Bank Leumi). As part of this effort the school gave generous scholarships to Israelis in the last year. Generally speaking, the earlier you apply for a scholarship, the better are your chances of receiving a generous one.
This year we are 5 Israelis in program. In the last few years the school has made a big effort to attract students from Israel (e.g. they are negotiating loans for Israelis with Bank Leumi). As part of this effort the school gave generous scholarships to Israelis in the last year. Generally speaking, the earlier you apply for a scholarship, the better are your chances of receiving a generous one.
Program structure and entrepreneurship –
The program is comprised of 5 terms. The first 3 terms include core courses and the remaining two terms are dedicated to elective courses. One of the main focuses in the program is on innovation and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is not limited only to founding a new business, but also deals with corporate venturing.
For those of you who want to found their own business or want to have an intensive entrepreneurial learning experience, the school offers the venture lab, where you can build your own business plan with the guidance and supervision of very experienced professors. At the end of the venture lab, the different business plans are evaluated by real-world investors. Many students choose to continue with their venture lab businesses after graduation.
The program is comprised of 5 terms. The first 3 terms include core courses and the remaining two terms are dedicated to elective courses. One of the main focuses in the program is on innovation and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is not limited only to founding a new business, but also deals with corporate venturing.
For those of you who want to found their own business or want to have an intensive entrepreneurial learning experience, the school offers the venture lab, where you can build your own business plan with the guidance and supervision of very experienced professors. At the end of the venture lab, the different business plans are evaluated by real-world investors. Many students choose to continue with their venture lab businesses after graduation.
Internships –
Although it’s a one year program there is opportunity to pursue an internship. You can either do a one month internship during summer vacation or you can do a 10 weeks internship during the third semester and summer vacation. A 10 weeks internship grants academic credit, and hence requires the approval of school in order to make sure that the internship is truly meaningful. I am not familiar with a case of an internship that wasn’t approved.
Although it’s a one year program there is opportunity to pursue an internship. You can either do a one month internship during summer vacation or you can do a 10 weeks internship during the third semester and summer vacation. A 10 weeks internship grants academic credit, and hence requires the approval of school in order to make sure that the internship is truly meaningful. I am not familiar with a case of an internship that wasn’t approved.
Bologna accords –
Recently, the school has become a University which is recognized by the European high education agreement (the Bologna accords). This can give the MBA degree future benefits in many countries. A few reputable business schools are not recognized as universities and therefore degrees from these schools may not be eligible when applying for jobs in the public sector or NGOs. For more details please use this link:
color=#800080 face=Calibrihttp://ec.europa.eu/education/higher-education/doc1290_en.htm
Madrid and Spain-
Where should I start… Madrid is a great city to live in. The madrilטnos are very simpaticos and one of the biggest challenges is to handle the endless fiestas and social events this city offers … so far we are handling it pretty well J
In addition to the amazing Madrid, Spain offers countless cheap and attractive weekend vacations – amazing beaches, ski in the Pyrenees, cheap flights to the rest of Europe and much more. If the location is an important factor for you, Madrid is definitely one of the best choices.
Recently, the school has become a University which is recognized by the European high education agreement (the Bologna accords). This can give the MBA degree future benefits in many countries. A few reputable business schools are not recognized as universities and therefore degrees from these schools may not be eligible when applying for jobs in the public sector or NGOs. For more details please use this link:
color=#800080 face=Calibrihttp://ec.europa.eu/education/higher-education/doc1290_en.htm
Madrid and Spain-
Where should I start… Madrid is a great city to live in. The madrilטnos are very simpaticos and one of the biggest challenges is to handle the endless fiestas and social events this city offers … so far we are handling it pretty well J
In addition to the amazing Madrid, Spain offers countless cheap and attractive weekend vacations – amazing beaches, ski in the Pyrenees, cheap flights to the rest of Europe and much more. If the location is an important factor for you, Madrid is definitely one of the best choices.
Why I chose IE –
Personally, my reasons for choosing IE:
It’s a one year, top program, with an opportunity to do an internship.
the diversity and internationality of the school.
The opportunity to learn Spanish (one of the most spoken languages in the world, the school offers free Spanish courses).
The scholarships opportunities given to Israelis in school.
Madrid is an amazing city!
Personally, my reasons for choosing IE:
It’s a one year, top program, with an opportunity to do an internship.
the diversity and internationality of the school.
The opportunity to learn Spanish (one of the most spoken languages in the world, the school offers free Spanish courses).
The scholarships opportunities given to Israelis in school.
Madrid is an amazing city!
You can get more information about the program at face=Calibrihttp://imba.ie.edu/ and if you have any questions feel free to contact me! [email protected]
Happy New Year,
Elad.