Although I already had it in mind to apply to the “European Political Economy and Finance” programme well before I finished my Business Management undergraduate studies, I knew I had to wait for the right timing. The truth is I was not only interested in attending LSE but also in experiencing London beyond a weekend getaway.

First of all I would like to stress that among other aspects, the core of the programme is in the importance of the European single market, so my advice to those deciding whether to apply or not is to have a strong interest in European history and politics to better follow the course. Furthermore, as a tip for the selection interview, show your interest well and explain to the committee why you, and not others, will make a difference if chosen for the programme.

LSE LSE is a brand that stands out in any CV for well grounded reasons, and therefore future students should expect a lot of work (and readings!) to prepare for the classes they will be attending, and for the required assignments and seminars. I would say that the biggest difference between studying in the UK and Spain is that professors at LSE do not expect you to explain to them what other authors think about a particular matter, they care about your own thoughts. If I have to highlight one particular class I attended, that would be without doubt “International Political Economy: Comparative Analysis”. I would never have thought how linked George W. Bush’s approval ratings were to gas prices in the US or about the impact of political polls and Brazil’s risk premium when Lula was running for President. During the 10 weeks I learned how international politics and the economy interact and I am incredibly thankful to Dr Lauren Phillips for her class.

Another important part of the programme that definitely shapes the LSE experience is the opportunity to attend public lectures. LSE hosts multiple lectures every evening and invites renowned professors, political leaders and industry speakers to address the LSE community. These lectures are a unique way for students to deepen their own interest in any discipline taught at LSE. Moreover, at the end of the lecture, guests are encouraged to raise questions, and I still remember well when both students and professors questioned austerity measures in front of the liberal German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy Philip Rössler.

Clement House I wouldn´t want to end without mentioning that as part of the programme we were also invited to attend the annual British Industry Conference, in which among others, Prime Minister David Cameron addressed the audience on European issues.

Although I have talked a lot about academia, there is obviously also room for spare time outside the classroom. But if you are considering applying you have already thought about what you would do in your free time so all I can add is enjoy London and have fun!

I believe this scholarship offered by the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia – Bizkaiko Foru Aldundia is a once in a lifetime opportunity for those interested in the topics covered by the programme, and a true career boost for participants. Therefore I can only be thankful to the LSE Enterprise team that puts the programme altogether and makes it possible. Eskerrik asko!

Jone Lakarra Etxebarria is a doctoral fellow in International Public Law at the University of the Basque Country.

I finished my law degree in 2011 and I was about to finish a Masters in International Studies when I was informed about this unique opportunity to learn about European affairs from a different institution’s perspective.

Jone Lakarra I was determined to do my PhD in international public law and I considered that taking part in this course would be very rewarding for my future career because it would broaden and deepen my knowledge of the European institutional framework. Besides, I thought it was an exceptional chance to learn more about finance and political economy, as the law degree usually lacks that approach. Considering LSE’s reputation as one of the best universities in the world, and the educational and curricular benefits I could get from this stay in London, I did not think twice.

It has been an unforgettable experience that has certainly helped me to learn a lot and to make new friends. All the selected candidates got on well from the very beginning and that helped to make the stay even more enjoyable. It is a superb chance to get to know the city, as in a ten-week period you have enough time to stroll around to places that you might not visit in a short trip to London.

As to the course, all of the subjects are enriching. While the lectures were helpful to get a general overview of each topic, the tutorial sessions were very useful for going deeper into the topics and resolving questions by discussing them among us and expressing our own views on the matter. The special sessions with prestigious scholars were very stimulating and I particularly enjoyed Professor Michael Cox’s session. Furthermore, I would also note the free public lectures which I highly recommend, as the speakers are usually well-known personalities. I enjoyed them all, but especially those about the prospects of the UK leaving the EU, a currently controversial but very interesting topic. The worst or maybe more difficult parts for me were those about finance and economics, simply because I did not have a background in that, but I learnt a lot thanks to the professors and my mates’ participation and explanations.

Apart from these ‘indoor activities’ at LSE, this programme includes various visits to different institutions and enterprises, such as the House of Lords, the Supreme Court and Bloomberg. These were all fascinating, but especially the visit to the CBI, where we had the privilege of attending a speech by David Cameron.

Jone Lakarra This programme has given me a wider knowledge basis about EU issues, not only from the legal perspective but from the financial and political too. Now my understanding is better and I can discuss these topics confidently. It has also helped me to get a fellowship to start with my thesis and to get an employment contract and I am sure that in the near future I will be able to share the knowledge provided by LSE with students and colleagues at my university.

I would suggest to the next candidates that you come eager to learn and enjoy, because although this course obviously requires you to study quite hard, with a good plan you do not have to give up fun. I would also suggest that you profit from the LSE library as much as possible. You will find any material you need: from sociology or economics to international law; books or specialised reviews... everything is there!

To sum up, I have nothing but good words for this programme and I am very grateful for this unrepeatable opportunity I was given to learn and enjoy abroad. LSE team and Diputación de Bizkaia, thank you very much.