Bachelor's in Business Administration (BBA)

Universidad Instituto de Empresa, Madrid

As an Instituto de Empresa (IE) student studying in Madrid, my school days start off quite a bit differently from those of the average university student. Rather than walking into campus and passing by the numerous different colleges trying to make it to class every day, I find myself getting off the metro right at the heart of Madrid’s premier business district.

Instead of the usual teenagers you would see sprawled out by campus grounds, I spend my mornings accompanied by the rush of businessmen, women, and professionals on their way to work.

IE Madrid takes your typical university model and tackles it from a completely different approach. Compared to other universities, IE’s location already sets it apart. The Caleido, which houses IE University, is a 14-hectare mixed-use urban complex acquired by Filipino businessman Dr. Andrew Tan through his private real estate investment company Emperador Properties.

Being situated in a top business district creates an atmosphere of professionalism and maturity that can only be achieved in real-life work environments. This is only further accentuated by life in Madrid in general, as the city demands a fast-paced schedule and consequently rewards individuals who practice independence, hard work, and perseverance.

IE’s learning style further differentiates it from other universities, something that it prides itself on as one of Europe’s top business schools. Its classes are more similar to high school setups than to typical universities. Students are grouped into classes of no more than 65 students, which ensures a more intimate learning experience between the professor and students. This smaller ratio of professors to students allows for a more complex understanding of topics and opportunities for debate and exchange of ideas.

IE is also known for its modernity and use of new technologies to enhance the student experience. This is felt in class through the university’s paperless policy, which maximizes the potential of our devices and optimizes the learning experience.

From the moment you enter campus, you are greeted with a facial detection system for ease of identification. Each floor is equipped with a state-of-the-art elevator system that optimizes speed and efficiency. The classrooms are also equipped with screens, speakers, and microphones to ensure clarity.

A typical school day for a single degree student, such as myself, usually includes two to three classes that each take 80 minutes. Students usually only show up to university during their class times. The university, however, offers an array of spaces for students to concentrate on groupworks or the finals season.

Each floor is lined with bookable rooms we call “fishbowls,” providing students with a quiet space for focused study. If studying in the tower is not your style, it is common for students to instead stay at the IE Master’s building in Maria de Molina, which contrasts the Tower’s corporate atmosphere, being more similar to a typical university with a vast library, lush greenery, and more.

With its prime commercial location, the tower gives students easy access to numerous restaurants. For something even quicker, there are mini-cafes throughout the tower that offer pastries and beverages for students to stop by in between classes. The tower also boasts a complete cafeteria on floor -4, where students can choose from pre-packed meals, hot-displayed food, or make their own salad or poke bowls.

The tower also has its very own gym and sports facility, where students can exercise or practice sports before and after classes. This is where all the university’s performance teams train and openly welcome people of all sports levels to participate.

For those who use the sports facilities, it can feel like a community within a community, as it is the only place on campus where students can truly interact and form relationships outside the classroom.

Personally, I’ve befriended and grown close to many people from other years and programs through playing sports—people I would never have met otherwise, due to the tower’s lack of communal spaces.

Going into my second semester as a second-year student, I can confidently say that this city and university have greatly reshaped the way I think, perceive, and live my life. Madrid, a vibrant and demanding city, forces you to adapt and become a more independent, mature version of yourself.

The city’s advanced yet convenient public transportation allowed me to experience how seamless daily commutes can be without relying on private cars. Learning Spanish taught me valuable life skills that not only benefited me in professional settings but also challenged and exercised my mind.

When I’m not working on my school work, I always find myself exploring the city center and nearby streets. Whether it’s taking a breath of fresh air in Plaza de España or experiencing the vibrant city life along the Gran Vía, walking through the city always provides a pleasant break from the business district. As someone deeply passionate about food, Madrid’s numerous mercados are always somewhere I can go during any time of the week to recharge and surround myself with things that I enjoy. When it comes to the evening, Madrid’s nightlife is second to none, with people often staying out until 6 a.m., clubbing and enjoying the night.

As a Filipino, born and raised in Manila, overcoming challenges is one thing that I wish I had understood better before coming to IE. As much as the IE Tower’s professionalism and business-centric mentality are impressive, it is just as intimidating and culture-shocking as the corporate institutions it surrounds itself with.

Due to the campus’ lack of traditional structure (interconnected buildings, open walkways, greenery, etc.), it is harder to get a sense of the “university spirit.” Its system is designed to instill a more mature and professional mindset in Madrid students. In contrast to IE Segovia’s more conventional—yet still very distinctive—campus, which is housed in an 800-year-old convent, the tower and its students alike may seem less friendly and harder to form relationships with.

This is not to say that socializing is hard in Madrid. Any university student living here would vouch for the opposite. However, it unmistakably requires more effort compared to if you were in a smaller university town. One is not better than the other, I chose to study in Madrid as I wanted to experience that independent city life and all the challenges it accompanied.

IE’s constant exposure to real-life professional work, presentations, and public speaking has molded me into an individual who is confident in his ability to speak on any topic, defend a point, and maintain composure under extremely stressful situations.

With all these external stimuli, there is no doubt that I have matured into someone who is excited for the future and accepts change head-on. But at the end of the day, when I exit campus, I am reminded of my roots as I see our Filipino flag at the base of the Cuatro Torre Area. That flag serves as a symbol of Filipino resilience and empowers me to continue, no matter the obstacle.