ES
Carla Espallardo, a former student of SEK-Catalunya, has been admitted to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she will pursue a technology-focused MBA thanks to a Fulbright scholarship. Her inspiring story of perseverance, resilience, and academic excellence has drawn the attention of national media, including El Periódico, which recently published an in-depth interview with her.
A story of effort and perseverance
At the age of 15, Carla was awarded a merit-based scholarship to study the International Baccalaureate (IB) at SEK-Catalunya. From that moment on, she became a role model for consistent hard work, critical thinking, and leadership. Her academic record, filled with top grades, and her strong personal values opened the doors to some of the world’s most renowned academic institutions.
In her interview with El Periódico, Carla states, “It’s not about being the smartest, but about working harder than anyone else.” That philosophy has stayed with her since her time at SEK-Catalunya, where learning was centered on the student’s holistic development.
Her starting point: SEK-Catalunya
At SEK-Catalunya, Carla discovered her passion for leadership, business, and social transformation. She took part in international fairs, worked on real-world projects, and found inspiration in teachers like Blanca, her Business teacher, and David, her tutor, who supported and motivated her through every challenge.
At the same time, she balanced her studies with semi-professional football and work duties at a student residence—without ever compromising her academic excellence.
After graduating with the highest GPA in her class in Politics, Law, and Economics, and serving as a support teacher for students with special needs, Carla took her next bold step: applying to MIT.
Thanks to the Fulbright scholarship and her outstanding profile, she was admitted to MIT’s tech-oriented MBA program—widely regarded as the best university in the world for its impact in science, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
From MIT, Carla aims to specialize in technology applied to financial inclusion, with the goal of contributing to global institutions such as the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund. “My dream is to offer real solutions to reduce global poverty,” she states in her El Periódico interview.
She also advocates for a major transformation in education systems: “We need fewer contents and more connection to real life. Teachers should act as mentors, not just transmitters of information.”
