Maria Rubio: Stay true, aim for progress, not perfection

Dressed in an elegant graduation gown, Maria Rubio beamed with joy as she posed for photos with her parents and friends on the CUHK-Shenzhen campus.

The past four years went by in the blink of an eye. While the Spanish graduate feels a bittersweet farewell to her university days, she also looks forward to the exciting new chapter ahead.

Rubio recently graduated from the School of Humanities and Social Science with a B.A. in applied psychology. Her four years at CUHK-Shenzhen not only enriched her academically but also helped her develop into a better person.

“I’ve become more responsible and improved my time management skills,” she said. “I’ve also learned some Chinese philosophy, such as the idea that you can’t control everything. Sometimes you just need to go with the flow and accept what happens.”

She added, “You don’t need to be perfect. Just be true to yourself and keep moving forward. Everything will work out in the end.”

Journey to CUHK-Shenzhen

Rubio applied to CUHK-Shenzhen after completing her secondary education in Guangzhou.

“This university is very international,” Rubio explained. “Everything here is in English, yet it still preserves Chinese culture, making it easier for international students to adapt.”

Another draw for her was the applied psychology program.

“I really enjoy my major. We have teachers from various countries, and the curriculum covers many areas of psychology, such as industrial, educational, clinical, and cognitive psychology.”

University life

Maria Rubio poses for a photo in her graduation gown on the CUHK-Shenzhen campus. Courtesy of the interviewee

In the fall of 2021, Rubio became a CUHK-Shenzhen student while still in Spain. Due to the pandemic, she was unable to travel to campus and had to attend classes online from Europe.

The seven-hour time difference meant that she often joined lectures and took exams in the middle of the night. Although the experience was challenging, she remained determined and persevered through the difficulties.

“I really wanted to experience university life in person. I missed China,” she said.

Her vibrant campus life eventually kicked off in her second year in university. “My happiest moments were making friends and being part of the dance club,” she recalled. “We have International Day at the university, where I got to perform. It was such a beautiful experience, and I had so much fun.”

She enjoyed participating in university events, including Chinese cultural workshops and art-related activities. In her free time, Rubio loved exploring Shenzhen and sampling Chinese cuisine.

“Shenzhen has many beautiful beaches,” she said. “I especially love going to Dameisha, which is not far from campus. When it comes to Chinese food, my favorite is Xiaolongbao.”

Growth

Rubio said she was initially taken aback by the level of competition among her peers. “I was shocked when I realized some students are quite ‘juan’ (卷),” she admitted. “People are very competitive because you’re surrounded by the best. I wasn’t prepared for that.”

However, she gradually found her own path to inner peace and learned not to get caught up in the pressure. “I try to maintain a balance and not get too ‘juan’ (卷). I make time for my hobbies and sleep. You know what? You can still achieve good grades while maintaining a healthy balance.”

Rubio plans to pursue a master’s degree in Chinese language and culture in Shenzhen. With her background in applied psychology, she believes she can build something meaningful while deepening her understanding of Chinese culture.