My name is Marta and I recently graduated from IBEI ́s Master ́s in International Relations. Well aware of the key role of internships for young graduates to enter the world of international affairs, I have been working at several organizations in this past year and would like to share my experience w ith the IBEI community in order to, hopefully, inspire potential students and show that changing career path is indeed possible.

I studied communications at Carlos III University in Madrid and did international political management during my exchange year in Bremen, Germany, where I realized that, no matter how relevant communication might be in any possible way, international relations was my real passion. Thus, I decided to do a Master ́s in International Relations , and IBEI and Barcelona were my choice. There, different courses – I myself chose the Global Governance path- , regular seminar s on different up- to-date topics, prominent scholars and the international atmosphere I could experience both in class but also in an international city such as Barcelona provided me a solid and deep academic and theoretical knowledge in the field of inter national affairs and so many different dim ensions of the world we live in.

Towards the end of the academic year, and thanks to the IBEI internship program, I had the opportunity to do an internship at the United Nations University Institute for Globalization, Culture and Mobility (UNU -GCM) in Barcelona in what was one of the most inspiring professional experiences I have had so far. The striking topics analyzed, the wonderful staff and their willingness to help and guide me in my little research on the access to education of girls within Syria was indeed a very motivating experience that encouraged me to focus my final dissertation on migrant children and further expand my knowledge in the field.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris were my next destination. There, I joined the Directorate for Education and Skills and more precisely the Center for Effective Learning En vironment, where I had the chance to look into the impact of the physical environment on learning. I got to see how such a big and relevant international organization works, work alongside high -level professionals and keep learning. At the same time, I had the opportunity to attend seminars, round tables and some of the meetings taking place there, which again broadened my understanding of the dynamics taking place in an international think tank. The big community of interns working at the OECD, who became good friends and with whom I shared first impressions, experiences, and many fun times made it a very positive and rewarding experience.

As for now, I am doing an internship at the Embassy of Spain in Amman, Jordan. I am discovering a complete different c ity, country and culture as well as the more diplomacy related work – and loving it here! I am not sure (yet) of what will come next but I hope to, little by little, keep finding my own way within this big world of international relations. 

To current and potential Master's students I would give two main recommendations:

1) Languages are crucial. If you are pursuing a career in the international affairs sector, you might already speak more than your native language but do not hesitate in learning some other language as well, it can only help you along the way.

2) Do not be scared of the big world out there . There might be many people looking for a job just like you but there are plenty opportunities too. Make the most out of all opportunities you might be given, take yourself out of your comfort zone into different cities and countries – I firmly believe it is these experiences that make you grow most, both personally and professionally. Travel, observe, di scover. And remember that you only regret the chances you didn ́t take.

All the best and good luck!