More about the IDP student experience
Entrevista—Natalia Martínez Alonso, Universidad de California Berkeley Extension
Study in the USA
2009 (Article in Spanish)
IDP Student Profiles
Business Administration
"I enrolled in the Business Administration program because it has all of the benefits of a long-term program. It's a unique combination of theory and practical experience. Not only did I gain an overview of marketing and enhance my academic background, I had the opportunity to make friends from all over the world."
A native of Brazil, Laurita Mourao de Sousa attended Faculdade Santa Marcelina and earned a bachelor's degree in fashion design. She began her career in the retail industry at an international fashion retail company. After completing the IDP program in Business Administration and Marketing with an internship at Oscar de La Renta, Laurita plans to continue working in the burgeoning fashion industry in her native country.
Finance
"I enrolled in the IDP program because I recently graduated from a French business school and knew I wanted an international career. Taking business and financial classes within the U.S. give me a competitive advantage not only back in my country but across the world. I am now pursuing an internship within a venture capital company, evaluating companies and helping them grow and evolve."
A native of France, Thomas Guidez received a master's degree in management with a major in corporate finance from Rouen Business School and an associate's degree in law from ESC Lille School of Management. Thomas's prior corporate finance work includes bank management control, credit analysis and audit and strategic advisory. Currently interning, he plans on completing his MBT studies in Business Administration and Finance at the end of the year and continue with Optional Practical Training before pursuing work in the Middle East.
Global Business Management
"I am pursuing a career in business development and marketing for technology companies. The Global Business Management IDP program increases the chances of being hired by an employer who can see the value I bring to their business. The IDP internship is by far the best opportunity for professional growth. You build working relationships and enlarge your professional network."
A native of Italy, Adriana Scalora graduated from Università di Lingue e Culture Straniere di Catania and earned her B.A. in foreign modern languages and a master's degree in marketing management from Midiform Business School. Adriana has worked in marketing and sales management in information technology market research across Europe. A recent graduate of the IDP program, she plans to establish her own consulting business in IT channel marketing in San Francisco.
Marketing
"My IDP internship experience in the United States is definitely an asset because I was able to learn and apply the practical side of marketing. Learning both the theoretical and practical side was at first challenging but in the end, all worthy."
Bomi Moon received degrees in Child Development and Psychology from Duksung Women's University in Korea. After completing her IDP studies in Marketing and completing her internship in public relations, she plans to continue her marketing career in the United States.
Project Management
"I enrolled in the IDP program to complete my project manager certification within the technology industry and Berkeley afforded me both. The close proximity to Silicon Valley made me feel a part of this technological phenomenon. In an intense academic program within a multicultural environment, you learn about teamwork, applying project management theory to reality."
Ramiro Antonio Balanta Idarraga attended Universidad del Cauca, Colombia, and earned a bachelor's in electronic engineering and a finance degree at Universidad Externado de Colombia. Ramiro worked in customer sales, managed services, and was an assistant teacher prior to his current IDP studies in Project Management. He plans to obtain an M.B.A. in the United States.
The Internship Program
"The IDP internship exceeded my expectations. I was able to gain a new marketing perspective from working on specific American business case studies that will help me in my future approaches. The company and its employees made me feel very comfortable and like a real member of their team."
Carmen Lopez Miras received a degree in Business Administration and Market Research at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and International Commerce University (ESCI), in Barcelona, Spain. Carmen developed skills in product management and marketing at Hewlett Packard in Spain prior to her IDP studies in Marketing. As a recent graduate of the IDP program, she is seeking a position as a product manager, market manager or brand manager for an international company based in Europe.
"I wanted to complement my professional experience and a one-year program studying at Berkeley exceeded my expectations. I strongly recommend the IDP because you have the opportunity to learn not only theory, but also its practical application through the internship."
Marcio Ferreira received a bachelor's degree in architecture and urbanism from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and an M.B.A. in strategic management in civil construction at ESPM in his native Brazil. Prior to his IDP studies, Marcio was an executive manager with a wealth management firm. After graduation, he returned to his company in Brazil armed with extensive knowledge from his year-long IDP.
"After I graduated from industrial engineering, I decided to pursue my career in marketing within an international organization. I chose the IDP program because it will give me an opportunity to be a part of a U.S. firm and increase my employability for international organizations in my home country."
A native of Turkey, Basak Erturk graduated from Bilkent University with a bachelor of science in industrial engineering. Having interned at Pfizer and Eti in Turkey, it wasn't until her IDP studies in Marketing with an internship at Comcast that Basak decided to re-focus her career. Her goal is to pursue a marketing career in her native country.
The Management and Business Track
"One of the reasons I enrolled in the MBT program was to take a detour with my chemistry studies. I found myself more interested in Business Administration and Marketing. With the Marketing program, I had the opportunity to grasp different concepts. I believe I am ready to go out there and practice my skills in a real work environment."
Zeynep Simur has worked in clinical research and pharmacovigilance. A native of Turkey, she earned a bachelor's of science in chemistry from Koc University in Istanbul. After completing the MBT program in Business Administration and Marketing, Zeynep will pursue a marketing or advertising career in Turkey.
"The IDP program provides the same courses and content in four months along with great instructors as that of an M.B.A. program. Students learn how to interact with other cultures and are aware of different ways to conduct business. Even the business model of the company where I interned has opened my horizons."
Ekin Gunel studied Computer Engineering at Koc University in Istanbul, Turkey. Having completed the MBT in Business Administration and Finance followed by an internship, Ekin plans on applying his new knowledge to the family business in Turkey.