Rachel Stern '07, Fulbright grant recipient

An economics major at Bates, Rachel Stern ’07 received a Fulbright grant to study for a master’s of business administration at IE, a business school in Madrid. Aspiring to conduct business development that is socially and environmentally sustainable, particularly with women entrepreneurs in the Third World, Stern has selected IE because of its international leadership in this field.

Coming to IE after a stint in Liberia with Robertsport Development Company, which promotes business opportunities for young people in developing countries, Stern sees the MBA as the next step in her career.

“I’ve learned the incredible importance of development, the unanticipated dangers of excessive economic aid and the interconnectedness of the world economy,” she says. “But I need the international business toolbox that I will gain at IE to put sustainable business projects into practice.”

She adds, “I’m particularly interested in IE’s eight-week venture lab. Through the lab, I plan to develop a microfinance model for West Africa that goes beyond simply funding small projects to include business education for loan seekers and their children.”