Maya Rose Menconi

The humanities have been a strong influence throughout Maya’s academic path, so her choice of program at IE University comes as no surprise. Her values and interests are guided by Rudolf Steiner’s “Waldorf principles,” which aim to develop every element of a person through their education.

What informed her final decision, however, was simply that she felt that other institutions were forcing her to choose between studying what she was interested in and studying what would support her career path. IE University’s Dual Degree in Business Administration & Humanities offered both, which, for Maya, makes it “a fundamental program for future generations.”

The program, she says, fuses practicality with critical thinking and societal context to cultivate a well-rounded education. “I’m able to study what I love and leave university with the tools needed to build my future. This is a powerful combination,” she says. That balance was ultimately why Maya came to IE University. The diverse community and faculty of sector practitioners—and our long-standing commitment to blending business with humanistic values—have meant that Maya has had ample opportunity to interact with people with careers in the humanities. According to Maya, she’s surrounded by like-minded thinkers who equally recognize the value the humanities have for society, especially in today’s fast-paced world.

Maya cites the highly practical, hands-on nature of her program, as well as the fact that her professors and visiting speakers are actually active in the fields they teach. Not only does that provide firsthand insights, but it also signposts to Maya and her peers the real career pathway options open to them, inspiring her next steps into the world.

Her future is something Maya is clearly already thinking about. She tells us that she’s “hoping to engage actively in the world through a humanitarian lens.” Believing that societal structures are evolving to blend business, culture and ethics in new ways, she’s more interested in how she can make the most impact than she is in specific job titles. She credits the humanities at IE University for helping her develop that perspective, along with the critical thinking and adaptability she’s going to need to navigate a changing world.

For now, though, Maya is still in the first of a five-year program. That said, she’s already enjoying a “more complex and diversified perspective” on humanity thanks to the international make-up of our student body. “I love that my cohort discusses cultures and values with one another, which makes it easier to disagree and/or understand where the other is coming from. This kind of interaction forces us to be curious, inquire more and expand our knowledge of the world firsthand,” she explains.

This is a clear indication that, though it’s still early days, Maya has immersed herself fully in the student experience. She’s already joined the IE Arts and Culture Lab too, to further combine what she’s studying with what she loves about the world. 

The Lab works with various organizations that are “shaping the future of the humanities,” as she puts it, through fairs, music, health, performances and cultural hubs. The Lab is another chance to combine her passion for her studies with practical applications that she’ll take forward into the future. “I’m beyond excited,” she says. She’s still “becoming,” to use the single word she chooses when asked to describe her journey so far as she’s still adjusting to a new phase of her life in a new country. “My time here is about shaping myself and my path in life. IE University is providing me with the knowledge, critical thinking skills and global exposure to grow into the person I aspire to be.”

Maya concludes by making a firm case for the value of the humanities, and of her program. “Studying humanities at IE University goes beyond academics, fostering knowledge and awareness to deepen your connection to people, place and purpose. In today’s world, this perspective is rare, but important for building a sustainable and meaningful future. If you’re passionate about understanding the world and shaping its future, this program will give you the tools to make a lasting impact.”