Students from South Korea: Study abroad stories in Spain

8 min read

Inspiring study abroad stories often highlight remarkable journeys, and few are as compelling as those of our South Korean students. Let’s see how an entrepreneur, an accountant and a telecom expert all found inspiration for lifelong success in Madrid. 

Before their study abroad stories at IE Business School 

Despite sharing a nationality, Peter Kim, Rahyun Kim and Andy Lee reflect the great diversity of the IE Community; their stories from before, during and after their time with us are all very different.   

Peter Kim: Inspired by alumni 

Peter Kim has started multiple ventures across South Korea and the Philippines. His specialty is digital media advertising, a path he embarked on right after completing his bachelor’s degree in business management and counseling psychology. The foundation he gained from this program worked for a long time—and helped him establish at least three startups—but soon, Peter knew that he needed more.

“I realized I needed to be on the same level as my peers, not just through experience but also through structured knowledge,” he explains. His co-founder and mentor at the time were both IE Alumni, and they inspired his desire to study here, too. That was just the first step; finding out about the Global Online MBA convinced him that IE Business School was where he had to be. Earning an academic scholarship only helped seal the deal. 

Rahyun Kim: Looking for something different 

Rahyun Kim, meanwhile, had walked a more unconventional path. Despite working in finance and accounting for the preceding ten years, her first major was actually in political science and diplomacy. She complemented this with business management studies, expanding her perspective and developing a global mindset.  

Nonetheless, she felt it only gave her a “macroscopic” view of the world, lacking the depth and nuance required to advance her career. So, Rahyun chose to go and seek the hands-on experience she needed. She says IE Business School wasn’t originally at the top of her list, because she didn’t know much about Spain back then and had almost zero proficiency in the language.

“I wanted something new and different, and IE Business school wasn’t one of the conventional schools that most Korean candidates applied to,” she admits. “It was innovative and diverse—and it still is.” Her desire to learn more ultimately outweighing her trepidation about the challenges ahead, Rahyun opted to take the leap and join the International MBA. 

Andy HyunJoo Lee : Finding growth through stability 

Andy HyunJoo Lee came into the IE Experience from a completely different place. The 30-year executive at KT Corporation—formerly Korea Telecom—has always believed in the power of adaptability, integrity and bridging global vision with local expertise. Building on these values, some might say that he’d already reached the pinnacle of his career; so why head back to the classroom?  

“I realized I needed more structure and insight into global business strategy.” By pursuing the International MBA, he would gain the tools to expand further his company’s already global reach.

Why is Madrid the perfect backdrop for study abroad stories? 

For Andy, studying in Madrid started out as a purely pragmatic choice. It’s a major European capital, and he wanted to learn more about the people, rich culture and business landscape. Plus, “Being in a big city gave me direct access to companies and events that made everything I learned more tangible,” he tells us.  

But more than exposure, Andy, who sees language as a “strategic tool,” was looking to improve his Spanish skills. You see, he’s gearing up to identify new growth opportunities in the US, Latin America and other Spanish-speaking markets, including Spain, so mastering the language was an important first step. “Spain offered access to these cultures, and IE Business School’s diversity really stood out.” 

Rahyun, too, speaks fondly about her time in Spain. From meeting new people to trying out new cuisine, she “thoroughly enjoyed” every moment in the vibrant, deeply historic city. Having limited exposure to other cultures beforehand, she was particularly pleased to experience the multi-national, multi-cultural diversity that characterizes Madrid. 

What did a day of the IE Experience look like? 

Of course it was far from all play and no work; IE Business School expertly balances academic rigor with opportunities for cultural exploration. While every day is different, our alumni generally broke their days down with a mixture of programmed coursework, extracurricular activity and leisure: 

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Lectures, workshops and breaks for lunch. 

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Assignments, group work and team or individual projects. 

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Optional Spanish classes, extracurricular activities, career-related events and networking forums. 

7 p.m. and beyond: Independent study, casual meetups with friends or solo exploration. 

Weekends were dedicated to short getaways to discover the city or the surrounding towns. Rahyun, like many international students, used her free time to explore nearby countries within the EU. “You can cross borders as easily as visiting next door,” she says. 

This time was invaluable to Andy, too, who had just tied the knot and moved to Madrid with his new bride. “When I wasn’t studying, we’d explore Spain, eating great food, enjoying festivals and traveling across Europe. IE Business School was like the perfect workplace—structured, challenging and fun. But what stayed with me most were the people. Their perspectives, their kindness—it made all the difference.” 

Overcoming challenges: Tips for international students 

What would two countries on opposite sides of the world have in common? Plenty, as it turns out. South Korea and Spain share the same reverence for family, community and cultural heritage, for example.

Be adaptable. Andy’s biggest challenge was getting used to the team-based learning format. But by the end of the program, it had become the most valuable part of the experience for him. He encourages others to stay adaptable to get the most out of the dynamic academic journey. 

Embrace diversity. Our programs attract participants from a huge number of countries and a wide range of industries, so keeping an open mind is essential if you don’t want to miss out on the unique insights and perspectives of your peers. 

Learn the language beforehand. While their programs are delivered in English, our alumni say learning Spanish enhanced their IE experience. Proficiency will come in handy when you’re exploring the city, analyzing business deals or just navigating day-to-day life. It’s not necessary to learn Spanish before moving to Madrid, but having a basic understanding is certainly beneficial. 

Remember to explore Spain. Take time out of your busy academic schedule to immerse yourself in your new home. Whether you want to indulge in a hobby, discover the city’s centuries-old history, take in the vibrant arts scene or just experience something new, Madrid has a little something for everyone. 

Thriving after the program 

Peter, Rahyun and Andy have already completed their IE Experiences, but they’ll be part of our global community for life. The lessons they learned still impact their personal and professional lives, too. 

The future for Peter 

For Peter, it’s all about purpose. He’s already used the “VC lens” he says he gained at IE Business School to launch and scale a new AI-driven digital marketing startup. Today, he continues to leverage what he learned about strategy, fundraising and investor relations to improve operations while growing his enterprise.  

But more importantly, he’s excited to work on his passion project. “Growing up in a missionary family, I saw financial struggles firsthand,” he says. “That’s why I’m working toward establishing a foundation to support children of missionaries—so they can study and pursue their goals without the hardship I faced.”

“Before, we were figuring it out as we went,” he says. “After IE Business School, I came back with a toolkit. It truly changed how I work and lead today.” 

The future for Rahyun 

Meanwhile, Rahyun co-founded a company with a friend from the International MBA and ran it successfully for two years after the program. However, the accountant-entrepreneur eventually felt that corporate life was a better fit for her.

Now, she’s leading the Financial Accounting Advisory Services (Assurance) team at EY as director, and she couldn’t be happier about finding her own path. “Working as an accountant might sound boring, but I’ve had different, somewhat unconventional experiences along the way, and that makes me unique.” 

The future for Andy 

Andy’s journey showed him how important adaptability is in business: “An MBA gives you options—career shifts, personal growth, global opportunities—but you need to be ready for them.” This, in turn, has reinforced the value of a global network.

Andy now defines success on a more personal level. “It’s not just about promotion or status,” he says. “It’s about living with purpose, enjoying your work, contributing to others, and staying true to your values. If I can keep growing and helping others grow, I consider that a success.” 

An expanding presence in South Korea: Study abroad stories 

Peter, Rahyun and Andy are just three of a growing number of IE Business School’s Korean alumni. If you’re from the region and you’re thinking about applying, you can expect to join a thriving community strengthened by groups like the South Korea Club, and attend events such as South Summit Korea and more. 

Their study abroad stories are already as fascinating as they are inspirational. We look forward to seeing what they all go on to achieve.