By Violeta Toda
Student Celia Blanco shares her experience of leaving Galicia, adjusting to life in Madrid, and finding a sense of home at CIS University.
Eager to experience life in a big city, Celia Blanco left her home in Galicia to study Marketing at CIS University in Madrid. Now fully immersed in her studies, she reflects on adjusting to life in a big city, dealing with the responsibilities of living on her own for the first time, and how the supportive environment on campus has helped her feel like she belongs in her new home.
Celia, please tell us a bit about your journey from Galicia to Madrid and what motivated you to choose CIS University for your studies.
Moving to Madrid just felt like the right step. I love Galicia, but I wanted to experience life in a big city. Plus, CIS University being an American institution really stood out to me because I’m planning to transfer to the U.S. for my last two years. I’m studying Marketing, and I think CIS University has a really international vibe that’s helping me grow in ways I didn’t expect. It’s a great place to start before heading to the U.S.
What were some of your biggest concerns or fears about moving away from home, especially moving to a large city like Madrid?
Honestly, I was super scared about being on my own. I’ve always had my family and friends in Galicia; so, moving to Madrid, where I didn’t know anyone, was a huge change. The idea of managing everything by myself such as cooking, cleaning, paying bills, was pretty overwhelming. I mean, it’s exciting, but also a lot to handle at first.
How has the transition to CIS University helped ease some of those fears?
CIS University has really made me feel more at home. The professors and staff are so approachable, and the smaller class sizes mean that you don’t get lost in the crowd. It’s been easier to make connections with both students and professors. The international atmosphere also helped me fit in faster since there are many students here from all over the place. And adding to that, I am really enjoying Marketing, which I think is important to feel even more comfortable.
As a Marketing student, how have your studies at CIS University influenced your view of the field?
Studying Marketing at CIS University has been very eye-opening. The way the courses are taught is quite practical, and the professors have a lot of real-world experience, which makes the lessons more engaging. I’ve already worked on a couple of projects where we analyzed real brands, and that approach has made me even more excited about my chosen career. It’s not just about theory, we’re really diving into how marketing works in today’s world.
How has the coursework done in class helped you develop a deeper understanding of marketing, and are there any particular projects or topics that have stood out to you?
The coursework has been really practical, which I think is the best way to learn. One project that stood out was when we had to pretend that we were an advertising agency tasked with launching a skincare line for Nike. It was such a unique challenge because Nike is known for sportswear, not skincare, so we had to create a whole strategy that aligned with their brand while introducing something completely new. We worked on everything, from social media campaigns to product packaging. That project showed me how creative and strategic marketing can be.
You mentioned before that you would like to transfer to the U.S. for your final two years. How do you think the skills and connections you’re developing at CIS University will help with that transition?
CIS University has been very helpful with students who want to transfer. They’ve guided me through every step of the process. What’s been really helpful is the variety of classes I’ve taken so far, including psychology, math, public relations, international relations, media and culture… It’s given me a broad foundation, so now I know what I want to focus on in my last two years. I’ve realized I want to guide more toward advertising. It’s great because I feel like I have a clear path forward and the confidence to make the most of the opportunity.
You’ve mentioned the variety of classes you’ve taken at CIS University. Are there any subjects outside of marketing that have surprised you with how useful they’ve been in shaping your approach to marketing?
Psychology, for example, has given me a deeper understanding of why people make certain purchasing decisions and how emotions influence those choices. Public relations has been helpful too, especially when it comes to managing reputation and handling crises. And even math, which I wasn’t very excited about, has been super useful as well. It’s helped me become faster with numbers and better at analyzing data charts, which is really important in marketing when you’re making data-driven decisions. All of these subjects have shaped my understanding of marketing in unexpected ways.
About your teachers and classmates, have they also played a role in your growth as a student and future professional?
Definitely! A few of my professors have really helped guide me, not just with coursework but in thinking about my future career. They’ve given me great advice on everything from which classes to take to networking and preparing for internships. As for my classmates, I’ve made friends for life here. They’ve really helped me feel at home and miss my family less. We’ve supported each other through everything, and it’s created a sense of community. It’s made the learning experience feel so much more personal and fun.
Outside of academics, how has living in Madrid affected your personal growth?
Living in Madrid has definitely helped me grow a lot. At first, it was a bit overwhelming being in such a big and busy city, but now it’s made me way more independent and confident. I’ve had to learn how to take care of myself: things like cooking, budgeting, and just handling life on my own. Madrid is such a fun city too, there’s always something going on; so, I’ve met a lot of new people and explored a ton of places. It’s really helped me become more open-minded, and now I feel like I’ve settled in and feel comfortable here.
Looking ahead, what are some of your personal and professional goals for the rest of your time at CIS University and in Madrid?
For the rest of my time at CIS University, I really want to keep enjoying all of my classes, participating and understanding, while also achieving good grades. I’m also hoping to get an internship to start gaining some real-world experience. As for Madrid, I just want to keep exploring the city, meeting new people, and discovering new places so I can show my family around when they come to visit. I’ve already made some great friends and connections, and I want to keep building on that. Basically, I just want to make sure that when I leave Madrid, I feel like I’ve made the most of everything, both academically and personally.