Ibero-American Studies: Master's Program 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America' Our Students
Application period is now open!
Student Reflections on the Master's Program
Julio Pedro Araujo Riedl
I loved the HCIAS' academic approach, the interdisciplinary perspective is a precious method for our career and human development. The atmosphere of HCIAS is incredible and Heidelberg is an amazing place to live and study!
Julio Pedro Araujo Riedl, Brazil/Germany
Bacharel em Jornalismo
Internship at Film Art Works, Marketing Film Production, Heidelberg
Documentary produced during the internship: Cuentos LatinosVideo greeting
Sonia Aleksandra Arnoldo
The master’s program for me means to broaden my horizon. At the HCIAS, we all come from different cultural and academic backgrounds, resulting in a unique mix of views, knowledge and comfort zones, allowing for a change from one's own perspective. We learn from each other and with each other, accompanied by our teachers and the staff of the HCIAS, who support us as much as they can.
Sonia Aleksandra Arnoldo, Germany
BA in Intercultural European and American Studies with a minor in Media and Communication Studies
Marc Joan Bartosch
The master’s program for me means an unparalleled opportunity for intellectual growth and professional development. It represents a chance to delve deep into the social, cultural, political, and communication aspects of Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, enabling me to broaden my perspective and think critically about the interconnectedness of these disciplines.
Marc Joan Bartosch, Germany
B.A. Translation Studies, M.A. 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America'
Internship at BASF Germany, Department Digital Engagement / Communication and Social Media Management
MA thesis about “Extractivism and forced displacement in Guatemala: An analysis based on the Fenix Nickel Project”, supervised by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Rosa Lehmann and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Yaatsil Guevara González
After graduation, working as a Communication Specialist at BASF
Ilse Berumen Benuto
The HCIAS MA program opened my mind to new ways of thinking, both academically and personaly. The interdisciplinary approach transformed my understanding of Ibero-American dynamics and their deep interconnectedness. The atmosphere is open and supportive, a space where we can freely explore and debate ideas.
Ilse Berumen Benuto, Mexico
Licenciada en Comunicación y Medios Digitales
Laura Bueno
The HCIAS has granted me the opportunity to continue studying in a field I previously was unable to do so. Due to the interdisciplinary study focus of this masters I am able to cross reference my bachelors with other subjects to get a new scope of knowledge and understanding of the world I was aching to get my hands on. The opportunity to be able to cross reference my knowledge in Languages and Critical Race Theory with Sociology and Anthropology is one a once in a lifetime window.
Laura Bueno, The Dominican Republic/USA
BA in Modern Foreign Languages
Vannessa Buritica Albarracin
In my experience while pursuing the Master’s in 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America', as an internationalist, I find it deeply fulfilling because it aligns my career path with a clear purpose of social impact and critical reflection. It has allowed me to understand the richness of intercultural dialogues and to bring that understanding to a setting that serves as a space where those experiences take on both academic and human meaning. The program not only connects realities across Ibero-America but also empowers young professionals to become bridges between cultures, narratives, and global challenges, opening up real opportunities in the field of international communication.
Being part of this community is deeply inspiring because it transforms the international experience into a purpose: to train agents capable of communicating, understanding, and transforming from an ethical, strategic, and truly global perspective.
Vannessa Buritica Albarracin, Colombia
Egresada de Relaciones Internacionales, Máster en Cooperación Internacional para el desarrollo, Magíster en Asuntos Internacionales
David Chapman
What I enjoyed most about studying at the HCIAS was the warm and supportive community here, as well as the diversity of perspectives and academic backgrounds represented in the Center, both in terms of the teaching staff and my fellow students. The master’s program in Communication and Society in Ibero-America had been a great way to complement and contrast my experience in linguistics with knowledge from other disciplines. I was lucky enough to take courses in environmental studies, political science, and economics, all of which have contributed to a richer understanding of the Ibero-American region as a whole in all its complexity. The course I took on Open Science and Replication as part of the HCIAS master's program and my experiences helping with the HCIAS Working Papers were specifically very helpful in applying for the job.
David Chapman, UK
BA Linguistics, MA 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America'
Research stay at Facultad de Comunicación e Imagen, Universidad de Chile
MA thesis about “Socio-economic factors and language vitality in Ibero-America (Traditional Occupations and Indigenous Language Maintenance: A Case Study from Bolivia)”, supervised by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Alejandro Ecker, Prof. Dr. Francisco Moreno-Fernández
After graduation, working as a Research Integrity Advisor at Springer Nature, Heidelberg
Mariel Elizondo Romo
I enjoyed studying in the master's program at the HCIAS because, due to its interdisciplinary nature, we got to understand the Ibero-American region from different and complementary perspectives, so every class opened up learning and research possibilities. The professors were truly inspiring: all experts in their respective fields, and passionate about the subjects they teach. All of this in the setting of a small but beautiful city like Heidelberg made studying in the program a truly unique experience.
Mariel Elizondo Romo, Mexico
Licenciada en Lengua y Literatura hispánicas, MA Psycholinguistics, MA 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America'
Internship at CAPAS Heidelberg University
MA thesis about “Community-based initiatives and Spanish as a Heritage Language in Germany”, supervised by Prof. Dr. Francisco Moreno-Fernández and Dr. Héctor Álvarez Mella
After graduation, working as a doctoral researcher at the HCIAS
María Paula Feliciano Acero
I enjoy studying in the master's program at the HCIAS because it allows me to understand the context I come from through a reflective and academic lens, while also giving me the opportunity to learn about the trends and experiences of other Latin American countries. It enables me to explore possible solutions to the shared social challenges we face and complements my academic formation in the social sciences by providing both the methodological and theoretical tools to critically engage with questions about my country and region.
María Paula Feliciano Acero, Colombia
Derecho, especialización en Derecho Constitucional
Internship at Heinrich Böll Stiftung Baden-Württemberg
Erick Ricardo Flores Herrera
I decided to study in the HCIAS master's program because of its academic perspective and projection as a starting point in my academic career. I enjoyed the possibility of studying with a multidisciplinary perspective with a staff of very academically active professors. It is definitely a program suitable for anybody interested in the Ibero-American sphere.
Erick Ricardo Flores Herrera, El Salvador
Licenciado en Comunicación Social, MA 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America'
Research stay at University of Bergen (Norway), Faculty of Humanities, Department of Foreign Languages
MA thesis about “Designing a Legal Corpus for Environmental Discourse: An Ecolinguistic and Critical Approach”, supervised by Prof. Dr. Francisco Moreno-Fernández and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Rosa Lehmann
After graduation, preparing doctoral project at the HCIAS
Karina Hidalgo Beltrán
What I enjoy most about studying the master's program at the HCIAS is the diversity of its professors and students, as well as how broad the topics are that we review in every seminar and lecture. I find it extremely enriching to think about several topics from different perspectives in a multidisciplinary atmosphere, this has helped me in finding my own path as someone interested in blending social science with other creative disciplines.
Karina Hidalgo Beltrán, Mexico
Licenciada en Comunicación y Periodismo
Daria Klymenko
I enjoy studying in the master's program at the HCIAS because of its strong interdisciplinary approach and the chance to learn alongside students from diverse backgrounds and regions. Additionally, the program has significantly broadened my academic perspective, much more than I experienced during my bachelor studies.
Daria Klymenko, Ukraine
BA Language and Literature Spanish
Internship at Observatory of Spanish in Europe (OSE), HCIAS
María Manzanares
I enjoyed studying in the master's program at the HCIAS because the teaching staff is very young and close to the students and because all of them are highly competent in the fields they teach and deeply passionate about their job. I especially enjoyed discussing the topics related to the articles we read because they provided us with a more critical vision not only of Ibero-America but also of the entire world.
María Manzanares, Spain
BA Periodismo con mención en Dirección en Comunicación, MA 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America'
Internship at Language Centre Heidelberg University, Leitorado Brasileiro Guimarães Rosa, Heidelberg
MA thesis about “News Media Coverage of Hunger in Belo Horizonte during the Covid-19 Pandemic”, supervised by Prof. Dr. Renata Motta and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Pablo Porten-Cheé
Ileana Mireles Canales
I enjoyed studying in the master's program at the HCIAS because it gave me a great academic opportunity to learn about new areas of communication and social studies that I was really passionate about and that I would not have found anywhere else. I really enjoyed studying at the HCIAS, the personal and academic growth had been very satisfying for me. The atmosphere at the HCIAS is ideal since it brings together students and professors from different countries, with different languages and cultures, which is very enriching throughout the master's program.
Ileana Mireles Canales, Mexico
Licenciada en Comunicación Organizacional, MA 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America'
Internship at SRAM Germany, Marketing and Communication Department
MA thesis about “Pódcast: Redefiniendo la Comunicación y Sensibilizando la Opinión Pública”, supervised by Prof. Dr. Francisco Moreno-Fernández and Dr. Héctor Álvarez Mella
Pavel Robles
Joining the Master’s program at the Heidelberg Center for Ibero-American Studies (HCIAS) was a turning point in both my academic and personal journey. Coming from Latin America, where poverty, inequality, and political instability remain everyday realities for many, I was looking for a space that would allow me to reflect deeply and critically on the region’s challenges. At HCIAS, I found not only a rigorous and multidisciplinary program, but also a vibrant academic community that welcomed diverse perspectives and encouraged meaningful dialogue. Also, what made this experience even more special was the life at Heidelberg University. The historic campus, the beautiful surroundings, and the sense of community created an environment where learning felt both intense and joyful.
Pavel Robles, Peru
BA Comunicación con mención Periodismo, Master of Media and Governance, MA 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America'
Internship at Project 'Creciendo con las Escuelas Rurales Multigrado del Perú (CREER)', Peru
MA thesis about “Trayectorias escolares de niños, niñas y adolescentes venezolanos en el corredor migratorio andino”, supervised by Prof. Dr. Renata Motta and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Yaatsil Guevara González
Lea Rolfes
I really enjoy the fruitful discussions we have in the seminars and thanks to our international and interdisciplinary backgrounds, we all constantly learn from and with each other. I also appreciate that the teachers are very approachable and open to feedback. Also, everyone at the HCIAS is genuinely interested in incorporating our ideas and perspectives to the master’s program.
Lea Sophie Rolfes, Germany
BA in Anthropology with a minor in Psychology
Internship at Organismo Autónomo de Especialidades Psicológicas, Quito, Ecuador
Bárbara Riedemann
As I sought out a program to elevate my professional profile, I discovered this master's degree to be a perfect fit. It has seamlessly merged my journalism background with theoretical and practical knowledge, allowing me to grasp the societal implications of communication as a driving force for transformation in the cultural, linguistic, and environmental dynamics of the Ibero-American region. The program's unique interdisciplinary approach has equipped me with essential tools for my trade. This master's program has been an enlightening academic experience that has uncovered new possibilities, igniting my passion for the critical analysis of emerging issues and phenomena in our society.
Bárbara Riedemann, Chile/Germany
Internship at ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability e.V. World Secretariat, Global Communications Team
Daniela Saa Montalvo
Pursuing the master’s degree in 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America' at the HCIAS was an enriching experience. Its interdisciplinary approach allowed me to learn about communication, culture, and society without losing sight of my interests and my previous academic background. In addition, the academic rigor of Heidelberg University enhanced my research skills, enabling me to carry out projects that fostered my academic and professional growth; something that will undoubtedly be useful in my future career.
Daniela Saa Montalvo, Ecuador
Agobada de los Tribunales y Juzgados de la República, Máster en Protección Internacional de los Derechos Humanos, MA ‘Comunication and Society in Ibero-America’
Internship at giz Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, International Services Division
MA thesis about “The discourse of protection in international human rights instruments and its impact on women's agency: An analysis from Latin America”, supervised by Prof. Dr. Renata Motta and Prof. Dr. Francisco Moreno-Fernández
Neri Salazar Álvarez
If a friend asked me about the HCIAS Master's program, I would say it's a truly enriching experience because you live and breathe the intercultural environment that exists here. There's a supportive atmosphere among the Master's participants. Living in Heidelberg is fascinating because it's very welcoming, and I enjoy interacting with people from different parts of the world.
Neri Salazar Álvarez, Ecuador
Ingeniero en Marketing, Máster en Marketing Digital y Comercio
Maren Schulz
Through its broad, interdisciplinary approach, this program helps me grow while deepening my understanding of current issues in the Ibero-American region.
Maren Schulz, Germany
B.A. in Political Science, minor in Spanish
Research stay at Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales, Universidad de Costa Rica
Satomi Tanikawa
I decided to join the master’s program at the HCIAS because I believe that Latin America is a crucial region in the 21st century, and studying it from different social science angles, at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, provided me with great opportunities in the future. The fact that the course is in English and Spanish is also helpful for non-Spanish native speakers like myself.
Satomi Tanikawa, Japan
BA English Language and Literature, MA 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America'
Internship and research stay at the migrant shelter 'Casa de Migrante Belén', Guatemala
MA thesis about “Agency on the Migratory Route: Survival Strategies by Migrants at the Guatemala-Mexico border”, supervised by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Yaatsil Guevara González and Prof. Dr. Francisco Moreno-Fernández
After graduation, working as a Project Management Officer and Interpreter at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
