I’m an international student originally from Madrid, Spain. I first came to the United States in 2022 with a very specific goal: to study and continue my volleyball and softball career. I started at Carl Sandburg College, where I had the opportunity to play volleyball while adjusting to a completely new culture, language, and academic system.
Moving across the world at eighteen years old was both exciting and challenging. Everything was different: the classrooms, the way people interacted, even the way communication happened in everyday life. But that experience helped me grow quickly, both personally and academically.
After two years, I transferred to Western Illinois University, where I am now a senior studying Communication and Management. Looking back, it’s interesting because when I first came to the United States, I thought volleyball would be the center of my journey here. And in many ways, it was the door that brought me here. But along the way, I discovered another passion: communication and storytelling.
One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had during my time at WIU has been working with Tri States Public Radio as a student assistant on the StoryCorps project called One Small Step.
The goal of the project was simple but powerful: to bring together people with different political or social perspectives and invite them to sit down face-to-face for a respectful conversation. Not to debate. Not to convince each other. But simply to listen and understand.
As someone studying communication, being part of those conversations was incredibly meaningful. I had the opportunity to observe how communication goes far beyond words. It’s about listening with attention, noticing emotions, respecting silence, and being open to hearing a perspective that may be very different from your own.
What surprised me the most was how often people discovered that, despite their differences, they shared similar values or life experiences. Sometimes all it takes is the space and willingness to truly listen to one another.
Being part of that process reinforced something I strongly believe: communication has the power to connect people in ways we sometimes forget. In a world where we often talk past each other, projects like this remind us how important it is to slow down and listen.
For me personally, being an international student added another layer to that experience. When you move to another country, you quickly learn that communication is not only about language, but also about culture, empathy, and curiosity. Every conversation becomes an opportunity to learn something new.
Today, as a senior at WIU and someone who hopes to work in communication and event planning in the future, experiences like this have shaped the way I see the world. They’ve taught me that stories matter, voices matter, and the spaces we create for people to share their stories matter as well.
I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had during my time here, and for the chance to be part of projects that encourage dialogue, understanding, and connection.
As I look toward the future, I hope to continue creating spaces where people feel heard, respected, and connected through their stories. Because at the end of the day, the conversations we have today can help shape the communities we build tomorrow.
Cristina Heras Marcos is a senior at Western Illinois University.
The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the university or Tri States Public Radio.
Diverse viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged.