María Fernanda Ponce

What made you want to study both business administration and the humanities?

I was drawn to the Dual Degree in Business Administration + Humanities because of my deep interest in understanding how business works and my aspiration to manage one of my own in the future. Improving my reading and writing skills was key to why I chose the program, as well as a desire to deepen my critical thinking skills.  

How was your experience studying different, but complementary, disciplines?

My experience has been all-encompassing and very expansive. With my dual degree, I get to learn how to apply numbers and strategy to make businesses successful, and also about the human experience.  

Personally, these programs have made me understand the tendencies humanity has had throughout history, and to notice just how closely related these opposing subjects are in the business world. 

Is there a class, project or discussion that has helped you connect business thinking with humanistic perspectives?

In my anthropology class, we’ve had multiple discussions about the culture of markets and what social rules people in certain business sectors tend to follow to become successful and highly regarded. 

For example, we talked about a study conducted in major financial centers and how workers behave there, where one’s success was more or less dependent on whether they understood the expected behavioral rules and applied them to their benefit. This discussion taught me how human behavior and tendencies are deeply embedded in the business world. 

In another session, our professor, Tierra McMahon, taught us how to see patterns and behavioral sequences in different societies and, generally, all around us. She showed us how to observe daily activities, which is a great skill that helps us grasp the culture surrounding us and the trends people follow. 

These classes have helped me realize that ultimately, businesses are composed of people. Understanding them and the culture that forms in every niche industry can contribute greatly to your success in adapting to a wide variety of situations and challenges in the future. 

How is this program shaping your perspective on leadership, innovation or the role of ethics in business today?

In today’s world, there’s a growing need for people who can think about the impact of their decisions on others and take the ethical responsibility to make choices that don’t only benefit their company but also contribute positively to society. 

This dual degree provides insights that a pure business bachelor’s sometimes lacks. In a traditional business program, there’s a sharp focus on numbers and accurate management based on calculations and profitability. With the Dual Degree in Business Administration + Humanities, you realize that numbers can’t always give you the best, most ethical answer to a problem. It allows students to approach business issues with a humanities lens.  

How does IE University’s diverse, international community enhance your learning experience?

The diversity at IE University is one of the main reasons I chose to come here, and it remains one of the best parts of my experience. It’s challenged me to broaden my beliefs about parts of life that I never would have otherwise. Everyone here brings a different perspective to the table. Being surrounded by people from all over the world has broadened my understanding of how different countries function and of the role culture plays in a person’s behaviors and ways of thinking, which can be valuable insight when it comes to tackling global problems.  

What has been your favorite part of the program?

Each person needs to be informed and empathetic to help solve the world’s issues, and that’s who I’m becoming with this program. 

Last semester, some of my courses showed documentaries that narrated unethical situations like child labor and the lack of acknowledgement of the struggles of Indigenous peoples. The experience made me feel like I was studying a program that not only taught me how to use numbers accurately, but also helped me understand the costs paid by minority groups when profit is the only thing companies focus on. 

What advice would you give to other students considering the Dual Degree in Business Administration + Humanities?

Have an open mind and listen intently. Take advantage of all the classes and opportunities available to you. In addition, you have to be curious. Always show an adequate interest whenever you start a course, and avoid studying without learning. That’s how you make the most out of your university years.