Adelina Petrea
I was born and raised in Romania, where I’ve lived for most of my life. Looking back on my senior year of high school, I remember wanting to pursue something other than a traditional career path in my home country. Another defining moment was my Erasmus experience in Italy, where I realized how much I valued being exposed to different cultures and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.
I chose IE University because it offers that type of international environment while allowing me to study a subject closely connected to one of my passions: history. At the same time, political science gives me the opportunity to better understand the world and, ultimately, be part of meaningful change.
"Having access to such insights early on is very meaningful, as it helps me better understand what it truly means to work in these fields"
Beyond the classroom, into the heart of democracy
Adelina Petrea was among the first students to enroll in the first-ever cohort of IE University’s Bachelor in Political Science. But her time here has already taken her further than expected, including to Athens, where a week-long academic trip reshaped how she sees the relationship between history, politics and the real world.
From the start, the program has pushed her in new directions. "It’s helped me develop strong critical thinking and analytical skills," she says, adding, "I’ve become particularly interested in European politics and diplomacy". She also appreciates its interdisciplinary structure, where courses focus not just on political theory but on complementary skills like economics and public speaking.
It was in Athens, however, that those concepts moved outside the classroom and into the real world.
Greece has long held a unique place in our collective imagination. As the birthplace of democracy, it also carries strong historical weight. Adelina studied the works of Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle in her Bachelor in Political Science classes. However, "Being in Athens allowed me to connect their ideas directly to the place where they originated, which made the experience even more meaningful," she admits.
Visiting historical sites like the Acropolis and Delphi, while engaging with current political institutions, created a powerful connection between past and present. "As history and politics are so closely intertwined, the experience gave me a clearer perspective on the evolution of democracy, from Ancient Greece to modern political systems."
The group also heard from contemporary political leaders and policy experts, including a former
Prime Minister of Greece. Conversations with representatives from institutions like the European Commission offered a deeper look into how policies are actually developed and how complex the process is.
Sitting across from people who make decisions that affect millions brought the real stakes of policymaking into focus. "One thing that stood out to me was how they emphasized the role of compromise in decision-making, which made me realize how different real-world politics is from theoretical models," she recalls.
A particularly meaningful experience for Adelina was the group’s visit to organizations focused on migration and social policy. It allowed them to see, in real time, the challenges policymakers face when addressing complex issues. Balancing trade-offs and evaluating benefits are two areas of politics often discussed in class, so observing these concepts in action helped Adelina and her peers better understand their real-life implications.
For Adelina, all of it adds up to something she believes could never be found in a typical university experience. "Compared to more traditional programs, IE University offers the opportunity to apply what we learn in class to real-world situations," she says. "This hands-on approach is essential for my future career, as it prepares me to navigate complex global challenges with confidence."
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