UNO Alumna Sandy Ojer Viejo’s Experience as an International Student

Born and raised in Spain, Sandy Ojer Viejo always knew she would pursue higher education in the United States, as her grandfather and father had done before her. This family tradition guided her journey, as she spent the summer between her junior and senior years of high school visiting family in Kansas City and touring various universities. It was during one of these tours that she discovered the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

Feeling at Home in Omaha

"When I got to Omaha, I just felt it. More and more, I kept hearing the same thing: you just feel it when you find the university that's for you. And I did. I felt like family, I didn't feel like a number. The tour was amazing, and the person who gave it really made an impression," said Ojer Viejo. "I loved Omaha as a town when I visited. It was close enough to my family in Kansas City to be able to get to them if I needed to, but far enough away for me to have my own independent experience."

The warm welcome during the campus tour left a lasting impression on Ojer Viejo, making her feel right at home at UNO. From the moment she arrived, the friendly atmosphere and hospitality gave her a sense of belonging, and as she explored the campus, she discovered its strong community environment. She knew that UNO was more than just a place to study, but a place where she could thrive both academically and personally.

However, it wasn't just family tradition that drew her to the U.S. for college.

The Appeal of Campus Life in the States

Ojer Viejo was attracted to the vibrant campus life and the extracurricular opportunities available in the U.S. She appreciated the opportunity to build connections, where getting involved in clubs and organizations allowed students to meet diverse people and engage in networking and socializing outside of the classroom.

"A big part of the reason why I was drawn to studying in the U.S. is that there's a greater sense of community here, with all the organizations you can get involved with on campus. It's not only about studying, but also the extracurricular activities that allow you to meet different people. That's not something that's as common in Europe," said Ojer Viejo.

Once Ojer Viejo began her life as a UNO student, she quickly found that campus was her home away from home. She often used the resources that UNO had to offer, especially those for international students.

"Everyone in the international studies department was super helpful. It was like family to me. Throughout my four years of study, I always felt supported, which was great because I was far from home. I wanted to feel that I was somewhere I could access help if I needed it,” said Ojer Viejo.

Thriving Through Academic Excellence and Real-world Experience

Ojer Viejo's choice to major in international business and marketing and management was influenced by her parents' careers in the business field, making it a natural path for her. The broad spectrum of business studies appealed to her, offering insights into finance, marketing, and management, which provided flexibility and a wide range of career options. This was particularly important to her as an 18-year-old who was still exploring her specific interests. Additionally, her minor in French complemented her main studies perfectly. Having studied French since sixth grade in Spain, it was a natural language for her to continue.

Being a student at UNO's College of Business Administration (CBA) gave Ojer Viejo the opportunity to have class on both Dodge and Scott campus. As she continued to gain interest in her studies, she found herself drawn to UNO’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO), which gives students the opportunity to interact with professionals in the Omaha area, as well as network with like-minded peers from across the country.

"It was great because even though I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur or considered it in my future plans, it was very motivational. It provided us access to a lot of opportunities for travel. We even traveled to annual meetings across the country to places like Chicago and Orlando, where we could connect with other students from different universities,” said Ojer Viejo.

Ojer Viejo's commitment to academic excellence was highlighted by her participation in the UNO Honors Program. This program provided her with a scholarship that allowed her to pay in-state tuition despite being an international student. Ojer Viejo enjoyed spending time in the Honors Program's dedicated office, which provided a place to study and connect with fellow honors students.

Additionally, Ojer Viejo worked at the Service Learning Academy (SLA). As a student worker, she was tasked with assisting in SLA’s marketing needs, particularly with graphic design. This role allowed her to become more involved on campus while gaining practical experience in marketing and graphic design. Ojer Viejo was passionate about graphic design and enjoyed being able to build her portfolio and experience while remaining involved with UNO.

In her second year at UNO, Ojer Viejo decided to study abroad. Having been familiar with the French language, she decided to spend a semester attending university in Chambéry, France. Ojer Viejo was eager from a young age to experience different cultures, meet different kinds of people, and to learn as much as she could, and she saw that studying abroad allowed her to do all three of these things.

After she returned to UNO from studying abroad, Ojer Viejo made the decision to declare French as her minor. She had become well acquainted with the language during her time in France, and thought that speaking an additional language, on top of the two she already knew, would help her in her future professional pursuits.

Graduation and Career Beginnings

In 2016, Ojer Viejo graduated from UNO with a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Marketing and Management with a minor in French. Shortly after graduation, she moved to North Carolina to pursue an internship doing graphic design at Red Hat. Once her internship ended, Ojer Viejo returned home to Spain.

Today, Ojer Viejo resides in London, UK. While she may live over 4,000 miles away, she still considers herself a Maverick. Every two years, Ojer Viejo returns to Omaha to see the campus she still considers home, catch up with old friends, and spend time with loved ones.