IE University has different clubs and initiatives for undergraduate and master’s students. Everyone is welcome to be a part of them. However, IE has even more to offer. Not everyone is aware of the existence of the IE Foundation Fellowship Program. Even less know what it actually means to be a Fellow.
What is the IE Foundation?
The Foundation was founded in 1997 as a non-profit organization. Its primary goal is to help talented individuals achieve their dreams and pursue their passions regardless of their financial situation. It brings together a selected number of students with extraordinary academic and extracurricular achievements. IE Foundation Fellows are also the recipients of the scholarships supported by IE Foundation and its donors. According to IE University, out of all of the students who receive IE Foundation scholarships every year, IE only selects 12% to be a part of the Foundation and have the unique opportunity to meet like-minded people and attend exclusive events. This academic year, more than 650 members from 124 nationalities are part of the IE Foundation Fellowship Program.
How does one’s journey with the Fellowship start?
After filling out an application and receiving a positive resolution on the scholarship request, some students find themselves receiving one more email where the President of the IE Foundation officially invites them to become a part of this exclusive community. That email indicates the beginning of the journey for every fellow.
After arriving on campus and starting classes, all of the Fellows get an invitation to attend the opening event. The event is divided into two parts, an official opening and cocktail networking. During the official opening, fellows get to hear some inspiring words from Professor Borja Santos Porras and afterward have a cocktail where everyone can network, get to know their peers, share stories, and learn from each other’s experiences.
Another annual IE Foundation event is the Winter Gathering which usually marks the end of the first semester and the beginning of the winter holidays. Last year, on Wednesday, December 14, this celebration took place. The event began with a speech from Gonzalo Garland, the IE Foundation Executive Vice President, and Geoffroy Gérard, the General Director of IE Foundation who congratulated fellows on all their achievements in 2022. It was followed by cocktail networking during which Fellows could enjoy their time sharing their highlights about the past academic year and enjoying each other’s company.
Reflections from a Fellow
Nevertheless, the IE Foundation offers much more to its fellows: unique invitations to meet world-class politicians, the opportunity to attend private conferences, and even free access to the IE Global Village.
Still, it is the people involved who make the IE Foundation Fellowship Program so unique and every event so insightful. Many times Fellows go on to become highly integrated into other aspects of Campus Life such as student extracurriculars and clubs.
A great example of this is my friends Sam Ferdinand and Desislava Tsankova who are the part of 2022-2023 Student Government and also, thanks to IE Foundation Fellowship Program, my very good friends. Our relationship is particularly special because we met at our very first IE Foundation event as Fellows. Thus, it was very inspiring seeing them run in the Student Government elections later on and eventually win. By having friends in Student Government, I am kept up to date with the university’s latest news and Campus Life activities.
Oftentimes Fellows become something more than a group of individuals who were externally selected for the same community – they become friends and serve as sources of support for each other. This is what it means to be an IE Foundation Fellow.
Featured photo by: IE University
