Newton College students take part in Forbes Talks x ISP to explore how to lead their future

Forbes, in collaboration with ISP Schools, hosted the second edition of Forbes Talks x ISP at Forbes House, bringing together students from ISP schools across Spain.

Students from Newton College took part in the event, which gathered young people from across the ISP network to reflect on learning, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), decision-making, and the challenges shaping the future of education and work.

The event featured renowned neuroscientist Nazareth Castellanos, who shared an inspiring discussion on how understanding the brain, managing emotions and developing healthy habits can help us approach the decisions that shape our future with greater confidence.

The day began with welcoming remarks from Bernardo de Vicente, Regional Managing Director of ISP Iberia, who greeted the 16 students attending from schools across Spain and encouraged them to actively participate in the discussion: "At ISP, we believe learning is about much more than academic content. It's about mindset, curiosity and the ability to make informed decisions. Today we've brought you together to reflect on how we can train our minds when making choices about our future."

Learning how to learn in a changing world

Under the theme "Lead Your Future: Learning How to Learn", the second edition of Forbes Talks x ISP explored some of the biggest challenges facing today's generation, including the rise of artificial intelligence, the changing job market, and the importance of developing skills such as critical thinking, adaptability and self-awareness.

During the event, Nazareth Castellanos explained how the brain continues to develop throughout adolescence and why this stage of life is crucial for establishing habits that support both learning and wellbeing. She highlighted nutrition, regular exercise, quality sleep and continuous cognitive stimulation as key factors in improving academic performance and making better decisions.

The neuroscientist also reflected on the fear of making the wrong choice when selecting a university degree, reminding students that career paths are rarely linear and that self-awareness is one of the most valuable tools for building a meaningful future.

Newton College students take an active role

Newton College students played an active part throughout the discussion, contributing thoughtful questions and ideas that enriched the conversation.

Zara Fernández and Joanna Konieczna joined a discussion with a student from The British School of Málaga about the fear of choosing the wrong university course—an uncertainty shared by many young people preparing for the next stage of their education.

Nazareth Castellanos responded: "Only between 1% and 5% of the decisions we make are ones we're completely certain about. That's why it's so important to accept mistakes as part of who we are, to be kind to ourselves, and to protect our self-esteem."

They were later joined by Ivan Egerev, who asked how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we learn and making the professional world increasingly competitive.

Castellanos encouraged students to embrace AI as an opportunity rather than a threat: "You are the first generation that will fully experience the transformation driven by AI. But you should see it as an opportunity to grow. Remember that you are in control of AI—not the other way around. That's why it's so important to develop your critical thinking, take time to understand yourselves, and look after your mental wellbeing to avoid anxiety and frustration."

Newton College student Julio Piera also contributed by presenting an idea to strengthen the school community: creating an initiative that would help students learn how to use artificial intelligence responsibly, critically and effectively.

Their participation reflected Newton College students' commitment to learning beyond the classroom and to developing the skills they will need to meet the personal and professional challenges of the future.

Forbes Talks x ISP: inspiring the next generation

Forbes Talks x ISP is an initiative created by Forbes and ISP Schools that connects students with leading experts from a wide range of fields, encouraging critical thinking, leadership and meaningful reflection on the challenges that will shape their personal and professional lives.

Through events like this, students have the opportunity to engage directly with experts, share their ideas and concerns, and gain fresh perspectives that help them make informed decisions with greater confidence.

To watch some of the highlights from this edition of Forbes Talks x ISP, you can view the Event Summary Video on YouTube: ▶️ YouTube Event Summary Video