"Some of the happiest years of my life"
DW Akademie: What motivated you to join the International Media Studies (IMS) program?
Irene Baños Ruiz: I wanted to improve my journalistic skills and steer my career towards human-centered international journalism. I was also drawn to the idea of living in Germany and improving my German. The International Media Studies program was the perfect combination for achieving both my professional and personal goals.
How has your career developed since graduating from the IMS program?
After graduating, I started as an intern at DW's environment department, where I was lucky enough to continue working on a regular basis for nearly seven years. At the same time, I also worked with various media outlets and international organizations as a journalist, speaker, trainer and media consultant, focusing particularly on analyzing and improving media coverage of the climate and environmental crisis from a constructive approach. I wrote a book about my own journey toward sustainability and how to cope with eco-anxiety, and co-authored two others on different environmental topics. For five years, I also contributed to developing the communication strategy on media and information literacy (MIL) and environmental journalism in Latin America for DW Akademie. Since March 2026, I have been working as a video reporter from Mexico for DW News.
Which of the skills you acquired during the IMS program have been most valuable in your current work?
The ability to work in international contexts and develop a critical perspective on the issues I cover has been central to my career. The program broadened my horizons in a flexible, respectful, and enriching way, allowing me to cultivate empathy, something much needed in times of polarization and hate speech. Furthermore, while writing my master's thesis, I was able to deepen my knowledge of environmental journalism and connect with leading figures in the field.
Can you share some key experiences you gained during your studies? What were some of the highlights for you?
The most memorable part of the program was the privilege of sharing a classroom with 27 highly talented journalists from different countries and being able to constantly learn from their experiences and perspectives. That opportunity undoubtedly shaped my personal and professional life in many ways. It was also very valuable to gain insight into the inner workings of an organization like DW and to be inspired by all the people who make it possible.
What advice would you give to future IMS students and graduates?
Take full advantage of all the opportunities the program has to offer, and be sure to build strong relationships with your classmates, professors, and the professionals at DW. Also, make the most of this chance to improve your German and English skills as much as possible. And above all, don’t forget to enjoy your stay in the lovely city of Bonn! More than a decade later, I can still safely say that the years I spent at the IMS were among the happiest of my life.
