Jie Zhan
My name is Jie Zhan and I’m from China. I studied English Language & Literature at Jinan University in China, and I completed my first master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the University College of London. After graduating, I completed internships in public relations, communication and project management. I would love to work at an international organization like the United Nations Development Programme after I graduate from IE University. In my spare time, I participate in a social consulting project organized by IE Alumni and often attend venture club activities and consulting workshops.
"The program has a great reputation and was recommended by my supervisor from the United Nations."
Pursuing global knowledge in Madrid
Pursuing your passion can require taking a big leap, and for Jie Zhan, that leap was moving from China to Spain to pursue the Master in International Development at IE University. This move was made possible by a full scholarship opportunity provided by IE University and the China Scholarship Council (CSC). Its aim is to assist academic stars from China to expand their knowledge in the diverse and international environment of Madrid.
Choosing IE University was an easy decision for Jie, especially due to its leading faculty, positive reputation and the support offered by supervisors from both the university and the CSC. What’s more, the IE Alumni network and additional entrepreneurship opportunities were strong advantages. In addition to all these benefits, Jie decided to study the Master in International Development because it would allow her to put theory to practice in real-life work situations.
The Master in International Development program aims to give students like Jie the skills and expertise they’ll need to solve complex global development problems. Here, students get the opportunity to interact and learn from leading professionals and experts from the UN system who work at the forefront of their field. It’s a full-time program delivered over 10 months and is complemented by a unique week-long immersion experience in Geneva.
Jie loves the fact that the program combines theoretical rigor with a unique focus on experiential and practical learning. The best part of her IE Experience has been acquiring useful knowledge every day—at IE University, you truly learn something new every day. Although challenging, Jie feels incredibly happy and fulfilled when she comes to understand the complex aspects of the course.
Gaining skills ranging from strategic project planning and implementation to performance measurement, Jie enjoys the classroom sessions where they cover problem analysis, needs analysis, risk analysis as well as time and budget planning.
IE University has allowed Jie to make a quick change from the humanities to international development, which will speed up her process to be employed in her chosen industry. Although still in the middle of her studies, Jie is already considering her future. Once she starts looking for work, she’ll make use of the IE University Career Portal, guidance from the IE Talent & Careers team and the weekly email students receive on job opportunities.
Jie wants to devote herself to the prosperity, development and educational equity of less developed areas. She plans to work in international organizations after graduation, starting as an intern or young professional.
For future Master in International Development students, Jie would recommend that they focus on obtaining a basic understanding of economics, data analysis and the country profiles of Africa and Latin America before the program starts. But above all, she would encourage them to be courageous enough to express themselves.
