Landon Konzen
Sometimes, I think I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity. I’ve always believed that reading is essential, not just to master a subject or learn something new, but to give me greater insights into human behavior. That’s one of the reasons why I’m currently studying the Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences at IE University. I hope to gain the knowledge and skills I need to raise awareness of important global issues and bring about positive change in the communities around me.
"For anything that I wanted to explore or dive into, there was a club, a professor—someone that's involved with IE University that has worked in the field, whatever it was."
Experiencing the world to understand human behavior
Landon Konzen grew up surfing along the sunny beaches of San Diego, California. He has always been a deep thinker, perhaps caused by the hours of solitude spent enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Or maybe it’s because of his long-held love for books, which he fondly calls his “alma mater.” Landon has always appreciated a good library—he’ll often spend hours there lost in the pages of his favorite poetry books.
Whatever the case, Landon was determined to turn his philosophical mind and natural curiosity into a meaningful career. But he recognized that, in order to find his niche, he had to see the world for himself; he had to study abroad. This decision led Landon to IE University, where he is currently in the last year of his Bachelor in Behavior & Social Sciences.
In 2019, he arrived in Madrid with a mission to understand human behavior. Landon wanted to figure out what inspires and sustains community action toward development. His long-term goal is to be on the frontline of social progress, blending knowledge of policy and expertise in behavioral analytics to foster sustainable development at the grassroots level. It’s a big dream, but Landon is sure that studying a program that he describes as “a mix of psychology, sociology, anthropology and economics, all focused on human behavior” will equip him with the tools he needs to reach his target.
Landon feels that IE University has brought the whole world within reach. His sense of adventure has translated into an enriching university experience; one where he could dive into any topic or interest that piqued his attention. “For anything that I wanted to explore, there was a club, a professor—someone involved with IE University that has worked in the field,” he says.
Apart from generating positive impact, these projects also gave Landon the chance to explore Madrid more fully. He’s already discovered new winding streets and scenic routes to cultivate his passion for skateboarding. He’s also branching out in his free time, reading poetry and rediscovering his love for writing and the spoken word. Landon feeds his mind with words in all forms; after all, “To read is to write is to speak,” he notes.
Landon understands why he’s studying behavioral and social science: to learn about different people, hear their stories and uncover what makes them unique. In the long run, he hopes to harness this thirst for knowledge, as well as his insights into human behavior, to launch a successful documentary filmmaking career that will shift the tide of public awareness on a range of global issues—particularly the climate crisis. He’s already making moves toward this vision: Landon is currently working on his capstone project, which he plans to use as the basis of a documentary project he wants to release next year.
Keep up with Landon’s progress on LinkedIn.
