01 de July de 2019
Carlos Favre acted as the student representative at the 2019 Graduation Ceremony of the Barcelona Campus of EAE Business School. After completing the MBA, Carlos looks back at a year of training far from his home country, Chile, recalls some of the best moments of the event and shares his future projects.
What did it mean to you to be the student representative for the EAE Graduation Ceremony in Barcelona?
I was extremely proud to be given this opportunity to represent all the students and, in some way, represent the efforts and dedication of all my classmates. Many of us faced our fears to embark on this rewarding adventure, particularly those of us who had to travel halfway across the planet to fulfil our dreams.
¿What was the inspiration for your speech?
I took my inspiration from the sacrifice required to study. It is not easy and, in many of our countries, it is expensive, and studying abroad even more so because of everything that is involved. But education is power and it enables us to change our lives and the world, to make it a better place, always thinking about the people around us and the environment. I also took inspiration from the fact that this Business School has given us not only an excellent education and tools for our progress, but also a sense of brotherhood between many nationalities and the chance to make contacts and raise our profile internationally. I also wanted to give a special mention to the unconditional support of our families and friend. When you are on you own far from your loved ones, it is really important to keep hope alive and the feeling that you are on the right path with everything you are doing and it will lead you to great success.
What personal and professional experiences are you taking away with you from EAE Business School?
New friends and sharing the experience with great people who I never imagined would form part of my life. Thanks to them, I never felt alone. There was always a classmate there to give me a hand and share lots of activities together. I am taking really lovely memories of all of them. In terms of professional experience, above all I would highlight everything I learned, which has grown day by day, at one of the best universities in Europe and Spain, and ranking among the top 50 in global league tables. Believe me when I say that it gives me great pride, that I rate very the achievement highly and that I have earned it for myself, as well as having excellent lecturers and the infrastructure that brings the whole thing together perfectly.
How would you rate your year of studies? Has it been hard to live abroad far from your family? How have you managed?
To a large extent, I would rate it as one of the best experiences of my life. If I had known everything that was going to happen before I came, I would have done it earlier, but there is a right time for everything in life. It is always hard to be away from your country, and more so if you are on your own in a different culture. But, in the end, I settled in really well in Barcelona. The culture and people gradually made me feel at home, and there is nothing better than feeling at home!
Why did you decide to do an MBA?
I did a lot of research. I saw several business schools, not only in Spain. I was convinced by the position of EAE's MBA in global rankings, the program and the value for money of the Masters, which facilitates access for lots of people who want to fulfil their dream to continue perfecting themselves.
What impact do you think it will have on your professional career?
Everything that you give at this School takes you a step further from when you arrived. Although we may already have had lots of the tools and knowledge, we can now apply them both in the professional world, now and in the future, and at a personal level in a much broader sense. The recent graduates will be a revitalized driving force for competing the dynamic and accelerated would that we live in.
Why did you choose EAE to do a Mater?
In my opinion, EAE is one of the top business schools in Europe and the second best in Spain. I'm not just saying that because I study here. EAE's awards and rankings speak for themselves, which give me lots of confidence when making the decision.
Did you do an internship during your studies? What contact have you had with companies at EAE?
I didn't do an internship as I already had more professional experience than my classmates and I wanted to live this experience to the maximum. However, I had the opportunity to visit companies here in Barcelona. EAE Business School has lots of contacts and, during the Master, I received many job offers. I am still considering these options because, in July, I am going to do the EAE program at the Lubin School of Business at Pace University in New York.
Why would you recommend studying at this university to other students?
If you have the option, don't hesitate. It will be really rewarding. I would also advise them to forget their fears and internationalize their careers. They will see that, in the future, they can reap great rewards from the seeds that they sow at this great school.
Where do you see yourself in a few years? What direction would you like to develop your professional career in?
I can see myself in different areas, as EAE gives you multiple professional opportunities. I see myself running a team in a large company, but also starting a business that enables me to contribute to society and not just think about earning money
Are you working at the moment? What are you going to do after graduating?
I am not working at the moment. I used to be a Branch Manager at Banco Santander in Santiago de Chile. I left my job to be able to come here. I imagine that now I am like all the other students who haven't got a job. I am weighing up the options of looking for work in Barcelona or returning to Chile. It would be really easy for me back in country but, as I said in my speech, we are here because we got out of our comfort zone, overcame our fears and realized that anything is possible. Therefore, I would like to build a professional career here and make a contribution to a company, you never know.
Would you like to stay in Barcelona or head back to your country to apply all the knowledge you have acquired?
I would like to stay in Barcelona. It is a lovely city. The climate, the culture, the people, it all absorbs you and makes you feel part of it, which is really nice and you soon get used to it. I don't know if I'll go back to Chile permanently, but of course I'll head back. I want to share the knowledge I have acquired and the whole experience, contribute towards change, albeit in a small way, and improve lots of things. I know that great trees come from small seeds and I would love it for lots of people, in the future, to enjoy the shade and fruit of the tree that grows from the seed that I am planting today.