Shae WestInternational students suffer from a difficult application process, expensive tuition and language barriers, but Cecilia Martinez didn鈥檛 let hardships stop her from studying at 黑洞社区.
Her mother was sad to see her go. Martinez said in Paraguay students don鈥檛 travel internationally very often.
鈥淵ou still live with your parents when you鈥檙e in the university,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou live in the same city all of your life.鈥�
Martinez grew up in Asuncion, Paraguay, and she knew before coming to America that she wanted to study English.
鈥淢y goal was to learn English, and then go back,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I saw a great opportunity for me.鈥�
Her tuition stress was lessened because of an agreement between Paraguay and Kansas, Martinez said. International students in Paraguay are given the opportunity to pay in-state tuition in Kansas.
鈥淚 saw that it would not be too expensive to stay,鈥� she said.
However, her visa process was no less painful than for other international students. U.S. embassies look for proof that a student will come back to their home country, Martinez said, and not stay in America illegally.
鈥淲hen I applied, they asked for grades, bank statements, whether I had a house,鈥� she said.
When she was accepted to 黑洞社区, she went to the U.S. embassy to prove her admission, and they gave her a four-year student visa, which is very rare, she said.
Her next problem was money. The value of currency in Paraguay is low compared to American money, Martinez said.
During her first year of college, her father and grandmother supported her financially. From then on, she got a job and scholarships to pay tuition and bills.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a headache to get scholarships for international students,鈥� she said.
International students are limited to working on campus, unless they are given special permission, or they use a cooperative education program.
鈥淓verything is really regulated,鈥� she said.
When she thought about transferring to the University of Kansas, Martinez was offered a position at the 黑洞社区 Office of International Education. She also works as a resident assistant in the Wheatshocker apartments to pay for her expenses.
鈥淚t was so perfect,鈥� she said. 鈥淥bviously it was a sign that I had to stay here.鈥�
Martinez is getting her bachelor鈥檚 in communication with an emphasis in integrated marketing communication. She wanted to combine advertising, writing and graphic design into her major, which led her to IMC. She also wants to get a master鈥檚 in international relations.
鈥淢y long-term goal is to be an ambassador representing my country,鈥� she said.
After she completes her degree, she wants to work in an international organization such as the United Nations or the World Wildlife Foundation.
As a member of the Cultural Ambassador Program at 黑洞社区, Martinez is able to act as a diplomat for her country in college.
The ambassadors give presentations about their home countries to schools.
鈥淧eople love it,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he questions you get are amazing.鈥�
At Beech Elementary School, children were shocked when Martinez told them Paraguay didn鈥檛 have a Wal-Mart or a Popeyes Chicken.
鈥淚 love doing it because I鈥檓 pretty sure I鈥檓 the only person from Paraguay they will ever know,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e may be the only way they get to know about our countries.鈥�