Inside Ivey
Step into the world of Ivey Business School through the eyes of its students. Whether navigating the program, embracing leadership opportunities, or forging lifelong connections across the globe, these firsthand stories showcase the ambition and impact of Ivey students. Real voices, real experiences, and real insights into life at one of the world’s leading business schools.
When Marcus Cvitak, HBA ’25, left for a five-month exchange at IE Business School in Madrid, Spain, he expected new courses, new friends, and a new city. What he didn’t expect was how profoundly the experience would reshape his perspective. From learning Spanish and navigating life in a vibrant European capital to studying alongside peers from more than 30 countries, Cvitak returned with a deeper sense of adaptability, cultural awareness, and global confidence – skills he says will influence his career and leadership journey for years to come. In the Q&A below, he reflects on the moments that defined his exchange experience.
Q&A with Marcus Cvitak, HBA ’25
1. What first motivated you to apply for an exchange, and why Spain in particular?
Going on an exchange had always been a dream of mine when I came to Western University. I didn't know it would be through Ivey at the time, but I'm extremely happy it worked out that way. I've always had an appetite for travelling, embracing new cultures, and seeing the world from different perspectives.
My interest in Spanish culture started during COVID when I watched a lot of Spanish shows, which eventually led me to Spanish music. When I started researching Ivey’s exchange options, I realized I would love living in Madrid. I had heard about its reputation for valuing the little things – long tapas dinners, afternoon siestas, and really taking time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures – and wanted to experience that lifestyle for myself.
I also watched YouTube videos about life at IE Business School, and knowing I’d be attending a top-tier institution, made Madrid an easy first-choice destination.
2. How did you prepare academically and personally before leaving?
I was completing a dual degree in business and medical sciences, so before going on exchange, I had to overload on courses in my fourth and fifth years to meet the requirements. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I was so preoccupied with coursework that before I knew it, January had arrived, and my flight was leaving.
Personally, I spent time with friends and family, knowing I’d be away for the next six months. I also watched YouTube videos and TikToks from IE students to get a sense of the culture I’d be stepping into.
3. What logistical steps did you have to take – visas, housing, budgeting, language prep – and what was most challenging?
Luckily, I have a Croatian passport, so I didn’t have to worry about a visa thanks to EU benefits. For housing, I started reaching out to companies during the summer, but it was too early. A group of us from Ivey agreed to live together, and by mid-September, I was emailing landlords about places I had flagged.
The whole process was quite fast – I found a place in an ideal location with a nice view, sent it to my future roommates, they agreed, we put our deposits down, and it was history.
I decided to take Spanish at IE and wanted to start from scratch once I arrived, but I learned a few basics beforehand: hola (hello), gracias (thanks), and perdón (pardon).
4. Who or what at Ivey helped you feel ready for the exchange?
Ivey connected us with exchange students from IE who were studying at Ivey during the first semester. We went for dinner with them in London, Ontario, and they shared valuable insights about living in Madrid.
5. Once you arrived, what helped you settle in most quickly?
Getting to know my roommates and growing close with them was crucial – I think having people you genuinely enjoy spending time with makes all the difference. Little things also helped, like getting a gym membership and learning the metro system. At first, the city feels daunting and unfamiliar, but by the end, you know every corner and turn as if you grew up there. It’s a beautiful thing to start with a blank slate and watch a foreign place become home.
The welcoming atmosphere at IE Business School, along with Madrid’s incredible food scene and vibrant social culture, also made the transition smooth.
6. What was a memorable academic or cultural learning moment that stood out as uniquely different from Ivey?
My most memorable academic moment was realizing I could speak Spanish. Never in a million years did I think I'd come out of this experience being able to do so. I’ve continued learning back in Canada and am now around a B1–B2 level. I’m still far from where I want to be, but unbelievably proud of my progress. I’m grateful Ivey allowed me to take Spanish as an elective because it gave me a strong foundation for further study.
This experience was different from traditional business courses because it offered personal growth in a completely new way. Learning a language means understanding a culture, and understanding a culture opens doors you never knew existed. It’s the kind of education that transforms how you see the world, not just how you analyze spreadsheets.
7. How did navigating life and studies abroad strengthen skills like adaptability, problem-solving, or communication?
Living abroad taught me more in five months than four years in London ever could. I grew exponentially as a person without even realizing it. It’s like enrolling in an unwritten curriculum where you’re constantly problem-solving. You’re juggling academics while travelling, meeting people from dozens of countries, navigating metro systems, absorbing new cultures and languages, overcoming communication barriers, and discovering the best routes through unfamiliar cities.
People might assume exchange is pure relaxation, and while there are incredible moments of joy, your mind operates on a completely different level. You’re absorbing experiences that become permanently etched in your memory.
Whether I was navigating Madrid’s metro with broken Spanish, communicating complex business concepts across language barriers, or adapting to different academic expectations, I had to think quickly and creatively. This constant practice taught me to thrive in uncertainty and ambiguity – skills that help you read situations, devise solutions, and communicate effectively regardless of language. It’s the most immersive education possible.
8. What global business insights or cultural perspectives did you gain that will make you stand out in your career?
My exchange gave me firsthand experience in European business culture, where work-life balance is a fundamental value. I learned how different cultures approach collaboration, decision-making, and relationship-building. The diversity of my coursework, from AI to fashion startups, combined with classmates from dozens of countries, taught me to think globally and consider multiple perspectives.
In my Fashion, Technology, and Startups course, working with English-as-a-second-language students was initially challenging but incredibly enlightening. Communication required more patience and creativity, but these teammates brought insights I would never have considered. They approached problems differently and valued different aspects of business relationships, showing me that intelligence comes in many forms.
I also noticed that European business culture places strong emphasis on the human side of business – taking time to build genuine relationships and understand colleagues. This relationship-focused, less rushed approach has changed how I think about professional interactions and will be invaluable in any career involving cross-cultural collaboration.
9. How did your exchange experience reflect Ivey’s focus on global reach and preparing students to lead across borders?
This experience perfectly embodied Ivey's focus on developing global citizens and fostering an international mindset. Living in Madrid, studying with students from more than 30 countries, and navigating European business culture showed me that effective leadership requires cultural intelligence and adaptability – not just market knowledge.
My exchange was the practical application of Ivey’s philosophy of developing leaders who think globally and act strategically. The international classroom environment at IE, combined with my travels across Europe, demonstrated how interconnected business has become. I learned to move beyond a North American perspective and understand how cultural values, communication styles, and business practices vary across borders.
Whether I was navigating Spanish bureaucracy, collaborating with classmates who approached problems differently, or learning to communicate across language barriers, I developed the adaptability and global perspective that Ivey identifies as essential for modern business leadership.
10. What advice would you give to other Ivey students preparing for an exchange?
My biggest piece of advice is to embrace every moment – it goes by incredibly fast. There will be times when you’re exhausted from travelling and need to prioritize your health, but when you can push through, remember that you’ll be back in Canada soon. These opportunities are finite.
I’d also encourage you to connect with local students at your host university, not just other Canadians. Local students know the language, the hidden gems, and where the authentic experiences happen. Instead of staying in a bubble with other exchange students, seek out people you’d never meet on Bay Street. These connections offer invaluable insights into different ways of seeing the world.
This experience rewired how I approach learning and growth. I gained knowledge by immersing myself in unfamiliar situations, meeting people from around the globe, and saying yes to opportunities I normally wouldn’t. It taught me to crave curiosity, a trait that’s invaluable no matter what career you pursue.
The world is complex and often difficult to comprehend, but if you’re privileged enough to experience an exchange program, seize it completely. It transforms the world into something more understandable and interconnected. Honestly, I could write a novel about these five months – and maybe I will someday.
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