Several months have now passed since Infanta Sofía arrived in Lisbon to begin her university studies, and we finally have a clearer picture of what that first step was like. Apparently, there were no shortcuts or visible privileges.
The daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia followed the same path as any other applicant to Forward College, an institution committed to providing an international education in Political Science and International Relations.
The process begins like that of any other student. Online application, submission of documents, and initial contact with someone on campus. Here’s an interesting detail. The university explains that “once you start your application process, you will be assigned one of our student ambassadors.”
This support is not symbolic. It serves to address real concerns, from the interview to what daily life is like there, which is crucial when you are entering a new environment.
Then comes one of the most crucial moments. The interview, which lasts about 30 minutes, is conducted in English and online. It is a direct conversation, designed to understand what motivates the applicant, what they are looking for, and what they can contribute. If the candidate’s profile is convincing, they are considered promising.
From that point on, the Admissions Committee comes into play; it meets weekly and makes the final decision.
The decision is usually sent by mail within two weeks.
Princess Leonor’s younger sister is already in the final stretch of her first year in Lisbon. After spending a few days in Spain with her family, she returned to campus to wrap up the semester and prepare for the final stretch before summer.
Her birthday is just around the corner, although there are no details on how she will celebrate it. What is clear, however, is her next step. In September, she will continue her education in Paris, as part of a program that will take her to three countries over three years.