By Trinidad Mansilla
Students from across Latin America come to CIS University filled with excitement and curiosity about the new environment that they are about to discover. For most of them, it is their first time living away from home. For others, it marks a new chapter in their lives, one where they can study in a language they already know (English) while still staying connected to their Spanish-speaking origins in a unique academic environment.
According to the Admissions Office, there are currently 13 Mexican students, 5 Colombian students, and 10 Venezuelan students enrolled at CIS University. Together, they form a growing Latin American community that continues to strengthen the university’s international atmosphere.
Mexico
“I thought it was a very small school,” said Camila Odabachian, a student from Mexico who had previously studied in Miami. “It actually reminded me of my high school because it also had the same layout – small classes,” she added.
At first, she said she wasn’t sure what to expect from this university. “I was a little bummed out at first when I found out it was relatively small, but once I started classes, I realized it was a good thing. My first year of University was at a very big school, and it was hard to meet people. Here, the closer environment makes it easier to connect with others,” she explained.
When asked why she chose this university, she said that it was because of the American higher-education system and the international community.
“It’s an American university, but it also has a lot of Spanish-speaking students. I didn’t want to relive the same experience I had in Miami, where it was mostly American students. Here, I feel like there’s a good balance,” she stated.
Camila loves Madrid, but misses the beach and her car. “Driving around was the best,” she says with a smile. Her advice to other students who come from Latin America is to not have any expectations: “Don’t have expectations. It’s going to be different from what you imagine – not in a bad way, just different.”
Colombia
Trino Luna had a similar experience of feeling welcomed from the start as well.
“My first impression of CIS University was that it was a relatively small but welcoming university that brought people together from many different countries and made everyone feel at home,” he said.
Still, being far from home, where he has lived almost his entire life, has not been easy.
“I miss everything about home. Life in Spain is very different from what I was used to before. I miss my family, friends, and the lifestyle I had,” Trino confessed. “But that doesn’t mean that Spain is bad. On the contrary, I love Spain, but it is different because the culture is different.”
Trino said he felt prepared and that it was easy for him to adapt to the American education system when he came here.
“I’ve actually studied in English my whole life, so it didn’t feel like it was a big change, the system is basically the same. But I must admit that having so many foreigners in one class makes me want to do things right, not only because of the image I show others about myself, but also because I feel like I am representing my country, since there are almost no Colombians currently at CIS University.”
His advice to other new students from Latin America is to be open to change.
“The change is hard but rewarding. It’s a different education system and lifestyle from what we’re used to. If you really want to make a big change in your life, you need to make big sacrifices, like being away from your loved ones or stepping outside your comfort zone until you create new ones,” he stated.
Venezuela
For Nicolas Antakly, a student coming from Venezuela, finding a nice, friendly community at CIS University was also a pleasant surprise.
“I have a lot of friends here, and I love the American system,” he said. “I grew up part of my life in the United States, so I’m used to it. The small classes make the connection between students and professors much better,” he added.
Nico said that he expected the university to be “more formal and colder,” but found the complete opposite.
“It feels very homey. There are a lot of friendships and real connections here,” he explained.
When asked about what he misses the most about Venezuela, he mentioned his family and his friends.
His advice to new Latin American students is to “talk to everybody. You never know who’s going to end up being your friend”.