The students of the Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and the Master's Degree in International Relations and Asian Studies at the Faculty of Commerce were invited by the Spain-Australia, India, China and Japan Council Foundations
Once again, the Spain-Australia Council Foundation, together with the Spain-India, Spain-China and Spain-Japan Council Foundations, organised a day of visits to the two headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and to the Diplomatic School for students enrolled in the Master’s Degree in International Relations and Asian Studies and the Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations at the Faculty of Commerce of the University of Valladolid (UVa). The University of Valladolid is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Spain-Australia Council Foundation and, within its internationalisation strategy, considers Australia one of its priority partner countries.
The students had the opportunity to visit the two official headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation: the historic Santa Cruz Palace and the administrative headquarters located at Marqués de Salamanca. They also visited the Diplomatic School. The aim of these visits was to provide students with first-hand insight into the institutions’ functions, organisational structure, working methods, and the professional experience and career paths of Ministry staff. In addition, they received guidance on the wide range of career opportunities available in the field of International Relations. Throughout the day, the students were accompanied by the directors of the Council Foundations: Vega Yubero (Spain-Australia Council Foundation), Berta Fuertes (Spain-India Council Foundation), and Mónica Vallejo (Spain-China and Spain-Japan Council Foundations).
The programme began at Santa Cruz Palace, where the students were welcomed by Enrique de Álvaro, Head of the Ceremonial Department. As they toured the courtyards and rooms of the historic building, he explained its history, functions, artistic and architectural value, and shared a number of interesting anecdotes about the Ministry’s headquarters. In the Ambassadors’ Hall, the group met with Adrián Martín Couce, Director-General for Protocol, Chancellery and Orders.
The students then visited the Ministry’s headquarters at Plaza del Marqués de Salamanca, where they were welcomed by Emilio Contreras, Deputy Director-General for South Asia. They also had the opportunity to hear from Francisco Muriedas, a recently appointed diplomat, as well as Raffaella Ferreccio, Project Manager of the Spain-Australia and Spain-India Council Foundations, and Rubén de la Cruz, an intern working with both Foundations.
Finally, the students travelled to the Diplomatic School, where they were received by diplomat Carlos Abella y de Arístegui, Adviser at the School, and Pablo Díez Astruga, Head of Studies. The visit included a tour of the facilities and provided an excellent opportunity to learn about the School’s academic and training programmes, as well as to obtain first-hand information on access to the Diplomatic Service, one of the most sought-after career paths among International Relations students.
