Ana Patricia García
I’m Ana and I’m from Spain. I’ve always been passionate about economics, but during my undergraduate studies, I felt I needed to strengthen my practical skills. That’s why I decided to pursue the Master in Applied Economics at IE University. I was ready to gain skills with analytical tools, as well as a more practical vision. The environment at IE University is unique because you’re surrounded by people from all over the world. I’ve learnt a lot not only from professors, but also from my classmates from diverse backgrounds. As someone who has been through the program, if you’re considering it, my advice is to go for it.
"The environment at IE University is unique—you are surrounded by people from all over the world. I have learnt a lot not only from professors, but also from my classmates from diverse backgrounds."
Gaining practical economics experience in and out of class
Economics is about more than analytical theories and numerical models. It’s about understanding why people, organizations and even countries make the choices they do, and how the resulting distribution of scarce goods, services and resources affects real people’s lives.
At least, that’s what Ana Patricia García believes. She’s currently enrolled in the Master in Applied Economics at IE University, engaged in a lifelong quest to appreciate the practical side of economics. Ana’s journey in this complex field started during her undergraduate studies when she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance. She received the knowledge she’s always been passionate about, but the experience showed Ana she still had a long way to go to bolster her hands-on skills.
Her solution? "I decided to pursue this Master in Applied Economics because it would equip me with analytical tools and a much more practical vision," she explains. The 10-month program didn’t just allow Ana to study in Madrid—a major financial and economic hub—it also promised a thoroughly hands-on experience on the frontlines of economics, financial markets, data analysis and fiscal policy.
Specifically, Ana was keen to explore areas like econometrics, which leverages statistical methods to validate economic theory, which she previously found to be abstract. But what she found at IE University was so much more. From the collaborative learning environment to the diversity evident in every class, getting immersed in the IE Experience felt like the natural next step in her career.
So far, what Ana has enjoyed most about the program is learning alongside a multicultural, global cohort. Their diverse backgrounds—personal, academic and professional—have added rich perspectives to her lessons. Also, "People will always help you whenever they have the opportunity," she adds.
However, it’s her professors who have truly stood out. Not only are they incredibly knowledgeable in their particular areas of interest, but they also possess the deep, real-world experience Ana was looking for. Whether it's in her macroeconometrics, microeconometrics or machine learning course, she’s sure to get plenty of practical examples to back the theoretical concepts she’s studying.
She didn’t expect learning to happen outside the classroom, too. Students from the Master in Applied Economics regularly enjoy hands-on workshops throughout the academic year. These sessions provide a platform for successful professionals from various sectors to talk about their career journeys and share lessons learned from real-life experiences. For Ana, it’s just another way to gain practical insight into her career of choice.
Immersion Week has served the same purpose, just in a different way. It’s a one-week field trip that puts students in touch with industry-leading experts working at top companies and notable international organizations. In the past, participants traveled to Luxembourg and Paris, where they spent some time touring successful startups, development banks and well-known institutions like the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Ana admits, "I believe experiences like these are really valuable in order to gain a clearer picture."
For her, the Master in Applied Economics has delivered everything she asked for, from technical economics training to practical, real-world experience. If you’re looking for hands-on skills that will be useful in both your professional and personal growth, Ana says this is the right choice for you. "It is a demanding program, and you have to be prepared to work hard and collaborate, but it’s also very rewarding."