_HOW DID YOU REACT WHEN YOU FOUND OUT THAT ESADE HAD GIVEN YOU A SCHOLARSHIP?

It took a few minutes for the news to sink in, it was as if they were giving the scholarship to someone else. It’s hard to put into words what we felt at home when we found out, but perhaps ‘joy, happiness, gratitude and pride’ describe the feeling quite well. 

_WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO STUDY AT ESADE?

When the time came to choose a university, the truth is I considered several law schools. But ESADE offered me unequalled conditions in every respect: quality, support and recognised prestige. That’s what clearly tipped the balance in its favour.

_HOW DO YOU THINK UNIVERSITIES COULD IMPROVE TALENT ATTRACTION AND RETENTION?

They would have to demonstrate that talent is a fundamentally valued quality along with other qualities such as effort and dedication. A scholarship system like Fundació ESADE’s is one of the best ways of demonstrating this and of showing a clear interest in such skills. Universities could advertise their financial aid schemes and perhaps even increase their value. By doing so they could attract a greater number of talented students prepared to make the most of the opportunity.

_WHAT ASSESSMENT DO YOU MAKE OF YOUR THREE YEARS STUDYING AT ESADE?

ESADE is a demanding school – we all know that – and it expects a level of effort that we are all prepared to take on. In return, we get a lot out of the opportunities and the academic and professional experiences ESADE offers. As far as I’m concerned, it has given me the opportunity to take part in Ramon Llull University’s debating society, attend parliamentary practice sessions and take part in internships with legal firms. And all these experiences are vital to the learning process.

_WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THE SOCIAL INVESTORS – ORGANISATIONS AND ALUMNI – WHO HAVE MADE YOUR SCHOLARSHIP POSSIBLE?

It’s thanks to the collaboration of businesses and alumni that I am able study at ESADE today, but more commendably still, many more students have already benefited from their help, and many others will also benefit in the future. I’m tremendously grateful, not only for the effort they have made through their endowments, but also for the enduring commitment that many social investors show, year after year. With these resources, ESADE will be able to give many young people a chance.

_DOES HAVING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED A QUALITY EDUCATION AFFECT SOCIETY?

Considering that young people are future members of society and, as such, its evolution and proper functioning depends on them, quality education – not only in professional but also in human terms – translates into a renewed social drive that helps us all to develop.

_AND WHAT WOULD THE INGREDIENTS OF QUALITY EDUCATION BE?

Quality education is the education that prepares you for the place you have chosen in society. So it takes society’s real needs into account and fosters the human aspects of students’ growth and maturity; both of which are essential in producing good professionals. 

_DO YOU HAVE ANY DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE?

I was seven years old the first time I talked about becoming a lawyer, and the idea has never left me. But this initial desire has evolved beyond just reading law. Today, it embraces a much deeper notion: I’d like my degree to be much more than just the fulfilment of my vocation, and to have a truly beneficial impact on all the people I live with and on society. My dream for the future is really just knowing how to take advantage of this great opportunity to add social value through the knowledge I attain.

GEMMA LLIGADAS
ESADE Scholarship student Bachelor of Law

Still studying, currently reading my last year of my Bachelor’s degree. I’m 21 years old and eager to give the best of myself to society. Law is my true vocation, although I’ve always been interested in economics and politics. Music and playing the piano have given me a different outlook on the world. I have absolute confidence in human beings and their capacity to do good and improve.

“IT’S THANKS TO THE COLLABORATION OF BUSINESSES AND ALUMNI THAT I’M ABLE TO STUDY AT ESADE TODAY. BUT MORE COMMENDABLY STILL, MANY MORE STUDENTS HAVE ALREADY BENEFITED FROM THEIR HELP, AND MANY OTHERS WILL ALSO BENEFIT IN THE FUTURE.”

“I’D LIKE MY DEGREE TO HAVE A TRULY BENEFICIAL IMPACT ON ALL THE PEOPLE I LIVE WITH.”

“ESADE IS A DEMANDING SCHOOL – WE ALL KNOW THAT – AND IT EXPECTS A LEVEL OF EFFORT THAT WE ARE ALL PREPARED TO TAKE ON.”