How summer school has become the new ‘must-do’ trip abroad for graduates

This story is sponsored by IE Business School.

The mercury is rising, and ambitious young students all across the world would have already started their countdown to a summer vacation to get some respite from the relentless working year. But where a beach getaway or a backpacking trip would have been the obvious choice for their fill of sun, fun and adventure, more and more graduates are now deciding that summer school offers the best of all worlds.

IE Summer School has put together a Spain-based programme that packs in everything you could ever want to experience as a youngster– from cultural activities to vibrant nightlife. All that, plus a comprehensive course curated by industry experts offering invaluable skills that’ll set you up for life.

Summer school hasn’t always been this exciting. So how did IE change the game?

Valuable skills

Sure, it was pretty cool that you learned how to wield a boomerang on your backpacking trip in Australia. And the French phrases you picked up on your tour of Europe have come in handy. But at IE Summer School you’ll take studying abroad to a whole new level...

In just three weeks, you can specialise in any one of these areas: international relations, entrepreneurship, international business law, finance and marketing and communications 

Close friends

At IE Summer School, you’ll be learning alongside fellow students from 32 countries studying and working in all kinds of disciplines from aeronautics to anthropology.

Casey Choong, a Class of 2016 graduate from Malaysia, believes his new friends have opened up a lot of doors for him.

“Sometimes I feel even closer to them than my friends back in Malaysia,” he said. “I now have friends from all over the globe and in terms of my entrepreneurial spirit, it makes me feel the world is my oyster.”

New places

You couldn’t do much better than a summer in Madrid, the heart of sunny Spain. IE Summer School is located in the Salamanca district, a neighbourhood buzzing with life and packed with boutique shops, big businesses and restaurants that dish up delectable food.

Cultural trips

As the saying goes: “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” So how could you pass up the opportunity to get fully immersed in Spain’s rich culture during your stay in its capital? Make the most of Madrid’s must-sees such as live flamenco shows and world-renowned museums.

You’ll even learn some Spanish as part of your course.

Find yourself

The summer school programme isn’t just about learning skills that apply solely to the working world. In the first week alone, you’ll develop key soft skills through workshops in public speaking, leadership, personal branding, team building and creative management thinking—all skills that come in handy in the real world.

Perhaps you’ll even work out what you want to do later in life and return to Madrid for a more comprehensive Masters at IE Business School, IE School of Human Sciences and Technology, IE School of Architecture & Design, IE Law School or IE School of International Relations.

Are you in? Applications for the 2017 IE Summer School course are being accepted. The last date to apply is June 20. In the meantime, start packing your suitcase (don’t forget to bring your sunscreen!)