Meet the Barcelona GSE Class of 2008-2009
The 2008-2009 class of the Barcelona GSE is reflective of the school’s values: they have outstanding academic records, are internationally focused, and bring to the school a range of backgrounds and work experiences.
Of the 124 students composing this year’s class, 83% come from outside Spain, and 38% from outside Europe. There are 30 different countries of origin represented. Additionally, the 2008-2009 class is nearly 40% larger than the previous year’s, due in part to the introduction of two new master programs, the MSc in Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets and the MSc in International Trade, Finance, and Development.
The MSc in Economics and MSc in Finance offered by the UPF for the past 14 years are the School’s largest programs, at 37 and 24 students, respectively. The MSc in Competition and Market Regulation and the MSc in the Economics of Science and Innovation, both of which are entering their second year of existence, both drew 15 students, respectively. The Master in Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets and the Master in International Trade, Finance, and Development, the two programs that were introduced this fall, have 15 and 18 students, respectively.
Drawn from Afar
Students of the GSE come from diverse backgrounds, both culturally and educationally. While 70% of the students have a background in Economics, 30% of students have studied Finance, Mathematics, a variety of Social Sciences, and, in the case of the Master in the Economics of Science and Innovation, Sciences and Engineering. Additionally, 17% of the students hold a master degree or higher, while the remaining 83% hold a Bachelor degree.
When asked, students cite a variety of reasons for deciding to attend the Barcelona GSE. Yamila Yael Simonovsky, a student in the Master in Economics, explained that her decision to attend was based on a desire to round out her international background. “Being from Argentina, but having studied in British Columbia, I knew that doing a master in Europe would provide me with a well-rounded context of economics”, she said, adding that “the School is comparable to the best in Europe.”
A student in the Master in Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets, Zoltan Vasary, from Hungary, reiterated the high expectations held by students. “I came because the Barcelona GSE is widely known as the best place for macro in Europe right now. The faculty of the program is composed of some of the top macroeconomists.”
Outlets for Success
Many students stressed that they would use their time at the GSE to strengthen their theoretical and practical knowledge, and decide during the course of the year whether to continue on to a PhD or enter the labor market. Because the Barcelona GSE combines a research side with its dynamic master programs, students have the opportunity to target their learning toward either professional or academic future plans.
Gabi Patron, a student in the Master in Economics, said, “I will either do a PhD next year or work- I have a year to decide on that. Regardless, I think the year will be very helpful”. Having lived in Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico, the US, and Barcelona, she feels comfortable in the international environment and career opportunities the school provides.
Francisco Moreno, a student in the Master in the Economics of Science and Innovation, is one of the few Barcelona natives studying at the Barcelona GSE. He is excited to participate in the program because of the dual professional and academic preparation and because “in coming years Spain will have a lot of investments in science and innovation. The master is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the future.”
Read about the student profiles from the 2007-2008 class
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