Be UIC
Interview with...
Clara Usandizaga Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration English Programme. Class of 2019
We talk to Clara Usandizaga, former student of the UIC Barcelona Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Clara has been awarded the Association of Economists’ prize for the best student record. She did her final degree project on start-ups in the fashion industry and currently works in the Ecommerce department of Inditex. By Cristina Prats
— Why did you choose to study Business Administration in English?
At secondary school I really didn’t know what I wanted to study – I thought about fashion design, architecture, industrial engineering or pure mathematics. All very different. After mulling it over and talking about it with my parents and teachers, Business Administration was the best option I found, because it would give me a broad base and would open doors to a variety of jobs. I wanted something “different” and Business Administration is a very popular degree nowadays, that’s why I decided to study it in English. In fact, being able to take the degree in English was one of the main reasons that made me choose both by the degree and the university. — How do you rate your time at UIC Barcelona? What do you think it has given you that other universities wouldn’t have?
I was very happy during my four years at the UIC. I think university is the best part of your education, because of the people you meet, the age you are, the flexibility and ease of combining study and personal life, opportunities to go to study abroad…
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I would come back and do it all again without a doubt. Among other things, something that sets the UIC apart from other universities are the small class sizes. Firstly, this means there is very individualised attention, the teachers know us by name and surname (for better or for worse…). For me, the small class sizes have also meant I had a large group of friends. I would also like to emphasise the proximity of many of the teachers and opportunity you have to ask them for advice. For me personally, this has helped me a great deal (and still does today) when I have doubts as to what to do with my life (academic and professional). In addition, the UIC is a university with values that are reflected in the staff, both teaching and nonteaching and, in general, are reflected in a warm and friendly atmosphere. —You’ve won the prize for the best university record of the Faculty, awarded by the Association of Economists. What does this recognition mean for you?
The truth is that I hadn’t heard of the prize, and when it found out I’d won it was a great surprise!! I felt very happy and
grateful. I largely also consider it a reward, not only for the effort of the four years of the degree itself, but for all my years at school too. But apart from being a source of pride for me, I think it is the best gift I could give to my parents and family, because they are the ones that have instilled good study habits in me, the importance of effort, of not giving up and always trying to offer that bit more. So all I can say is: thank you! — You also studied abroad. How would you rate your time abroad?
10/10! Since I was a child, I’ve had the opportunity to spend summers abroad, go on exchanges with my school… and to do Erasmus at university. I believe that everyone should have the chance to study abroad. Firstly, it is interesting to try out different learning methodologies, but I believe the best thing that I’ve taken away from these experiences, is on a personal level; the people I’ve met, the experience of having to find your feet in a different culture and, usually, in a language that you do not know or know little of… it makes you grow a lot. Without a doubt, I would recommend everyone to
