After 15 years of working for CEA, Madrid Program Director Silvia Martinez has grown, improved, achieved, and never been bored.
From being a busy university student studying abroad in Madrid, Sylvia went on to work full-time for CEA after graduation. "When I started at CEA, I was the same age as the students. I was the Madrid onsite assistant. I absolutely loved the project CEA had. After the first year, I became the Program Director and started implementing new ideas to always keep the program improving", she said. The bustle of living and working abroad became a challenging new way to stay busy.
Many students who study abroad will vouch for the benefits of multicultural experiences. From learning new languages to meeting different people, anyone can benefit from time abroad. Silvia reflects on her time overseas fondly and even says "It should be mandatory for all universities, offering financial aid when needed. I see this is where the world is heading, and hopefully it will be the case in 10 years".
Aside from helping CEA and students grow, Silvia hopes that their time abroad is unforgettable. "CEA has given me the chance for the past 15 years to inspire students to work hard and get a job that they will love, to travel the world, to teach them to embrace new cultures and not fear what they don't know. She adds that, though CEA is a home away from home, family comes first. "But my biggest achievement is, without a doubt, being an inspiration to my 3 daughters".