Carolina Martinho Simões
My name is Carolina Martinho Simões, and I am from Lisbon, Portugal. I am an enthusiastic, empathetic and responsible person who is passionate about a lot of things, including literature, photography, traveling and camping. In fact, I’ve spent a lot of time working as a summer camp counselor and I love it.
"The best part about my IE University experience so far has been the people I have met. It is incredibly enriching to get to meet people from such different realities and be able to connect with them."
Before pursuing her master’s degree at IE University, Carolina studied business administration and management. She participated in an exchange semester in Singapore, which triggered her passion for international travel. Following her time in Southeast Asia, she interned at Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, where she was part of the department responsible for managing philanthropic projects in various Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa, as well as in Timor-Leste.
Carolina’s experiences ignited her drive to connect with people from all over the world and learn from a myriad of perspectives, experiences and opinions. So, she decided to pursue a master’s at IE University—the perfect place to find diversity and other professionals with a global mindset.
Fully aware that IE University would challenge her to step out of her comfort zone both personally and professionally, Carolina was ready to dive in. She’s always felt a sense of responsibility for the world around her and wanted to somehow find a way to contribute to development, leading her to pursue the Master in International Development. Thanks to the program’s unique partnership with the United Nations System Staff College, Carolina believes she is receiving an education that will open the door to a wide range of opportunities.
The IE Experience has been nothing short of incredible for Carolina thus far, and each of her favorite memories have one thing in common: the people. Joining the IE Community has given Carolina the opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds, but all with the same purpose—to make a lasting impact on our world. From events and conferences to clubs and campus life, everything is up-to-date, relevant and insightful. She particularly loves the events in which she can discuss current global issues, as her main passions lie in human rights and sustainability.
"I chose IE University because of its global and innovation-driven approach."
The opportunity to live in Madrid is another positive aspect of her time in the program. The vibrant life of the city can be quieted with a quick trip to Retiro Park, where she can read a book, go for a walk or have a picnic with her friends. She also loves visiting museums when she has free time
Carolina admits that her overall experience at IE University has surprised her. Despite her high expectations, she never expected it would be this exciting. The people around her have truly enhanced her time in the program and she loves that she is continuously challenged. As for her future, she hopes to continue learning and finding new ways to implement positive change.
