My name is Alejandra Heredia Cepeda, and when I came to Portland Community College from Mérida, Mexico, I brought with me a passion for creativity, communication, and helping people connect.

My journey as an international student has helped me discover my passion for marketing, branding, and community engagement while building the confidence to imagine my future career.

Now, I have earned honors and an associate degree in marketing with a 3.8 GPA. My time at PCC has given me the skills, experiences, and support I needed to continue growing both personally and professionally.

Before coming to the United States, I attended high school in Mexico and studied business administration at the Autonomous University in Mexico, Yucatán. I also worked in social media and event management before coming to the U.S. in 2024 to improve my English and continue my education.

Becoming an international student changed my life in ways I never expected.

“Being an international student has been a life-changing experience,” Alejandra Heredia Cepeda said. “It challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, become more independent, and adapt to a completely new culture and educational system.”

At PCC, I chose marketing because it allowed me to combine creativity with business strategy. I became especially interested in how brands connect with people through storytelling, social media, and community engagement.

“I chose marketing because I enjoy creativity, communication and understanding how brands connect with people,” Alejandra Heredia Cepeda said. “I’m especially interested in social media, branding and community engagement.”

Looking ahead, my goal is to create my own marketing agency focused on helping small businesses grow their online presence. For now, I plan to continue gaining professional experience in marketing while exploring future education opportunities.

My PCC journey has been shaped by the support I received from the college community. I received PCC Foundation scholarships in 2024 and 2025, which helped reduce financial stress and allowed me to focus more on school and career opportunities.

“PCC faculty and students are helpful,” Alejandra Heredia Cepeda said. “No matter where you come from, you feel like you belong.”

Throughout my time at PCC, I found support through the Office of International Student Services (OISS), the library, tutoring, the PCC Reading and Writing Center, and Counseling. As an English-language learner, the Reading and Writing Center was especially meaningful as I worked to strengthen my academic writing and communication skills.

“Those sessions helped me strengthen my confidence and communication skills tremendously,” Alejandra Heredia Cepeda said.

OISS also became one of my biggest support systems while I was building a new life far from home.

“OISS was one of my biggest support systems because they helped me feel welcomed, connected, and supported far away from home,” Alejandra Heredia Cepeda said. “I also worked as an international peer leader at PCC’s Sylvania Campus helping other students.”

As the eldest of five children, my parents have always encouraged my education and career goals. Their support, along with my own savings, helped make my PCC journey possible.

Studying in a second language and adapting to life in a new country was challenging, but it taught me the importance of perseverance and adaptability. These experiences helped me become more confident and prepared for the future.

“I learned to keep moving forward even during uncertain times,” Alejandra Heredia Cepeda said. “I remind myself why I started and try to see every challenge as an opportunity to grow and invest in my future.”

My experience at Portland Community College has been about more than earning a degree. It has been about discovering my passion, building meaningful connections, and preparing for the next chapter of my journey.

For other international students beginning their own path, my advice is to embrace every opportunity, believe in yourself, and remember that every challenge can help you grow.