Global Immersion Week at IE Business School is a one-of-a-kind, international learning experience. Participants travel to global business hubs to gain firsthand exposure to international business dynamics, attend academic sessions and engage directly with senior executives at world-renowned companies. Visiting Amsterdam is just one way out students get hands-on experience with leading professionals around the world.
Let’s find out more about this unique opportunity for students for students in Marketing, Communication & Sales and Talent Development & Human Resources programs.
Hands-on experience while visiting Europe
Set in one of Europe’s most internationally connected business ecosystems, the Amsterdam experience places you at the intersection of multinational corporations, creative industries and fast-growing tech environments.
Through company visits, academic sessions and conversations with professionals, you see how different sectors approach challenges like digital transformation, communication strategy and talent development. You also begin to understand how skills transfer across industries, and how adaptability plays a role in long-term career growth.
“When you truly understand who you are, what you bring to the table and what your purpose is, finding the right role becomes not just possible, but intentional.”
As Laura Pinheiro Moura Rocha, a student in the Master in Strategic Marketing and Communication, explains:
“Companies are looking for curious and multidisciplinary young professionals who are able to adapt and face new challenges in an ever-changing, AI-driven environment.”
How does Global Immersion Week benefit students?
For Daniela Garcés, an Ecuadorian student with a background in digital and retail marketing, the week she spent in Amsterdam was a powerful reminder that ambition knows no borders. “When it comes to your professional journey, there are really no limits—as long as you are aware that it takes time, effort and a willingness to make connections,” she tells us.
Listening to IE Business School alumni share their own global journeys helped Daniela reframe what’s possible. Many had also come from overseas and were now thriving in top-tier organizations across Europe and beyond. “Seeing people with similar backgrounds to mine—coming from small, faraway countries—driving real impact in some of the world’s most recognized companies… made what once felt out of reach suddenly feel possible.”
“The experience was great academically and professionally, but also personally and culturally,” says Laura. “I had been to Amsterdam before, but this time was able to live the city and the country in a unique and very fun way.”
What were the highlights of visiting Amsterdam for Global Immersion Week?
In just one week, Daniela took part in a whirlwind of activity. She moderated her first industry panel, explored Amsterdam, connected with peers from around the world and even led an Instagram takeover for IE Business School. “I never imagined I could learn, grow and push myself so far outside of my comfort zone in just one week.”
One of the week’s highlights was a visit to WeTransfer. Here students explored how meaningful content and value-driven messaging allow companies to connect with consumers. Daniela says, “It was a great reminder that grabbing attention isn’t enough—what really matters is creating meaningful engagement.”
“What inspired me the most was seeing people with similar backgrounds to mine driving real impact in some of the world’s most recognized companies. It made what once felt out of reach suddenly feel possible.”
For César Rodríguez, a student of the Master in Talent Development & Human Resources with a background in the automotive industry, one visit stood out: “The company visit I enjoyed most was ING,” he says. “Instead of just talking about AI, they emphasized authenticity; that it’s not just how you do something, but why you do it, and who you are while doing it. That conversation made me reflect on how I can lead with more genuine intent in my career.
Why are networking and relationships central to the experience?
A consistent theme across Global Immersion Week is the importance of relationships. Beyond formal sessions, the experience creates space for meaningful interactions.
Those interactions mean bonding between peers, alumni and professionals from different backgrounds.
For César, this was one of the most valuable aspects. “Building strong relationships both professionally and personally is everything,” he says. “Talking to industry leaders, alumni, and professionals taught me that your network isn’t just about opportunities, it’s about expanding your perspective and finding people who challenge you. I also learned how important it is to shape my own “job crafting” aligning my work with what I’m genuinely passionate about.
These interactions often extend beyond the week itself, forming the basis of long-term professional connections across industries and geographies.
How does the experience shape your professional outlook?
Global Immersion Week helps you connect your existing experience with future career possibilities. By hearing from professionals and alumni, you start to see how different paths evolve over time and what it takes to build an international career.
Students often leave with a clearer sense of direction, particularly in terms of how their skills can apply across industries and markets. The experience also highlights the importance of proactive career development.
“It opened our eyes to new possibilities we hadn’t initially considered,” Laura explains. “It made me feel more prepared to take the next step, especially in the European job market.”
Benjamin is the editor of Uncover IE. His writing is featured in the LAMDA Verse and Prose Anthology Vol. 19, The Primer and Moonflake Press. Benjamin provided translation for “FalseStuff: La Muerte de las Musas”, winner of Best Theatre Show at the Max Awards 2024.
Benjamin was shortlisted for the Bristol Old Vic Open Sessions 2016 and the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize 2023.
