Ida Nydelius
I was born and raised in a town called Mora in Sweden’s Dalarna Province. I spent two years in Rättvik for high school, but I took a leap of faith and dropped out midway to study in Norway when I got a full scholarship from the United World College Red Cross Nordic. Before moving to Spain, I also spent a gap year studying Portuguese while living in Florianopolis, Brazil. Because of these experiences, my home now feels like many different places, all of which are special to me. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunities to live abroad and learn about the world.
"My experience at IE University has been as diverse as the student body."
Blending creativity and art with diplomacy
A quote from the late yogi Tao Porchon-Lynch resonates with Ida Nydelius: “Don’t let age dictate to you what you can and cannot do.” With interests spanning multiple disciplines, Ida is what you call an intrinsic learner, a creative soul and a true global citizen.
After spending her formative years studying in Sweden, neighboring Norway and Brazil, Ida currently lives in Madrid where she’s working on her Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics (PPLE). With two years remaining, the future diplomat is excited to begin her dream internship at the Swedish Embassy this upcoming semester.
Fond of painting and creating, Ida is always in pursuit of new experiences and valuable skills—she loves learning about cultures and how societies operate. Especially inspired by diplomacy, the idea of working with people while promoting Swedish culture delights her.
Ida is very passionate about art—ever since beginning her studies in Spain, she has been part of the Art Club. Not only has it helped her improve her oil painting skills, she even became the President of the Art Club as she entered her second year.
Even before enrolling, Ida says that IE University satisfied all of her criteria. What immediately caught her attention was the university’s international student population. Although accustomed to Northern Europe, Madrid’s sunny weather was another appealing factor. Moreover, she wanted the opportunity to practice a new language and apply for competitive scholarships.
So far, Ida’s experience at IE University has been as diverse as her peers. Eager to try new things, she joined as many clubs as possible in her first year. Among them were volleyball, yoga, as well as the Debate Club, Art Club and Climbing Club. On top of these, she participated in a Think Art seminar and Policy Lab.
According to Ida, her second year focused more on academics but also on the Art Club when she became president. Embracing the leadership role, she used her new platform to motivate students to embrace their creativity and practice their art at the IE Creativity Center. She makes sure to share the joys that come with artmaking.
For Ida’s third year, she moved to Madrid where she collaborated with Campus Life to establish extracurricular activities at IE Tower. In addition to leading the Art Club, she succeeded in launching the Nordic Club with a friend and classmate from Norway.
By starting this group, Ida experienced what it’s like to build something completely from scratch. Throughout the process, she says that Campus Life at IE University was amazingly supportive in helping turn ideas into reality. Yet, in Ida’s opinion, the most important factor is the student’s passion and commitment.
Outside of the classroom, Ida loves to create in her free time. Still delving into oil paints, this artist continues to develop her personal style while making her own website. All the while, Ida stays entertained by exploring other mediums like digital art, embroidery and sewing.
Another priority for Ida is staying physically active by running, hiking, doing yoga and trying new sports. Reinforcing her appreciation for learning, she recently picked up tennis, paddle and climbing.
Aligned with her upcoming internship, Ida intends to enter the world of diplomacy and work for the Swedish government after graduation. Eventually, she envisions herself working at embassies and managing various exciting cultural projects.
Ida also plans to launch her own art brand and establish a studio alongside her diplomatic career. With her own space, she aspires to teach others some of the skills she has acquired over the years.
Motivated more than ever, this ambitious student says that IE University has allowed her to study a unique mix of politics, law and economics. As she approaches the finish line, ultimately Ida’s undergraduate experience has shown her how the world functions.
Other than the rewarding academics, IE University has provided Ida with a growing professional network. Specifically, she thanks Campus Life for encouraging and supporting the growth of her project management, leadership and artistic skills.