“During my Master’s studies, I never imagined I would be working in the Public Affairs Office of the NATO Defense College. Securing the Blue Book traineeship was already an incredible achievement, but joining a NATO entity feels like a dream come true. I truly enjoy contributing to something meaningful and seeing the tangible impact of my work.”

"At first, I thought the programme would be primarily about the curriculum, but it turned out to be so much more – a truly life-changing experience. The IBEI master's not only provided me with academic knowledge but also transformed my worldview, shaped my career path, and opened up opportunities I hadn't imagined. It challenged me to grow both professionally and personally, fostering skills and connections that continue to influence my work and life choices today."

"The international atmosphere at IBEI has given me a sense of intercultural communication that has been useful in the cooperation with professionals, civil servants, and diplomats from abroad. Aside from this, IBEI helped me develop a local approach to development work. The extensive offer of electives, taught by professionals that have practical experience with the subjects that they teach, allows students to specialise in a tailored professional profile. I was able to pursue a specialisation in local governance and human security that I now use in my work."

"My experience at IBEI was very positive. From the very beginning, I felt strongly connected to the institution, its professors and the rest of the students. The courses were of exceptional quality, the professors brought an impressive depth of knowledge, and their accessibility fostered a close-knit academic community.Despite the challenges posed by the post-pandemic context, the supportive environment made my time at IBEI enjoyable and rewarding. One standout feature was the small class sizes, which encouraged cooperation and fostered engaging, in-depth discussions on critical issues."

“During my time at IBEI I focussed on policy analysis and quantitative methods for evaluation. This has equipped me with the theoretical understanding of development policies, relevant stakeholders and challenges in design and implementation. Additionally, I learned relevant tools to assess the viability and impacts of programmes and projects. Most importantly, IBEI taught me to dive into new concepts and topics quickly and get accustomed to new methods and processes rapidly. All these are crucial skills that I have used in my past and current positions.”

“I envisioned applying the knowledge and skills acquired during my studies to make a positive impact in the field of social education and peace activism. My experiences and contributions thus far have confirmed that my post-graduate path is consistent with my initial aspirations, and I'm eager to continue along this fulfilling journey.”

“The Master's in International Relations complemented my background in business with a deeper understanding of political and macro-economic topics, thereby preparing me to work at the intersection between Business and IR. Furthermore, the collaboration with students from all over the world helped to further strengthen my intercultural understanding.”

"I remember my experience at IBEI to be incredibly enriching, intense and fun. We had this mix of engaging discussions at class where everyone shared their insights and expertise, but at the same time I remember working a lot in papers, presentations and group assignments that required a lot of preparation and group meetings. But the most rewarding aspect was undoubtedly the friendships you make along the way."

“My experience at IBEI was all that you could want from a postgraduate program. Studying in the bustling and dynamic city of Barcelona in a small group of very driven and experienced people was fantastic. Furthermore, IBEI gave me the chance to start an interview platform together with some other students and we were able to interview high-level speakers on topics relevant to our course, including Branko Milanović. In addition, I got to spend an exchange semester in Cairo.”

“I greatly appreciate the time I spent studying at IBEI, especially the high level of flexibility to design the MIR program exactly according to your individual interest and thus optimally prepare for your future career path. Additionally, I was very happy to study alongside open-minded and intelligent fellow students, some of which have become very dear friends of mine.”