November 16, 2009
Daphne Pierre beamed as she spoke of her life as a first
year student in the master’s degree program in International
Relations at the St. John’s Rome, Italy campus.
“This is the most exciting time of my life! My academic experience
and the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of the
poor in Rome have really helped me focus and clarify my personal
and professional goals.”
Daphne’s undergraduate years at St. John’s as a government and
politics major were filled with accomplishment and success. She was
selected as a member of the President’s Society, was the founding
secretary general of the Model UN program and was involved in
numerous community service projects.
Now, as a graduate student, Daphne is continuing to fulfill the
goals the University has set for all its students – a global
experience that combines scholarship with meaningful service that
is measurable, sustainable and truly changes the lives of
disadvantaged citizens around the globe – ‘action with
impact’.
“I’m planning a career in foreign service,” Daphne explained. “My
experience at St. John’s has certainly helped shape that goal. I
believe that service to others takes many forms and I know that my
undergraduate and graduate work at St. John’s, both in the
classroom and in community service projects, has expanded my
perspective about how I can make a real difference in the lives of
others.”
Daphne’s family background is Haitian and she moved to
Port-au-Prince from Brandon, Mississippi at the age of 13. “One of
my professional goals is to return to Haiti and participate in
improving their higher education system. I would love to help
students there have the same opportunities for a quality education
that I have been so blessed to experience at St. John’s.”
As Daphne immerses herself in learning a language and culture that
pulsates with heritage and history and as she serves the Roman poor
in soup kitchens, nursing homes and primary schools around the
eternal city, she seems overwhelmed by her life-changing experience
and opportunities.
“St. John’s has provided me with a chance to grow in so many ways.
Now, I have a true sense of who I am and what I would like to do
with my life. It has also helped me understand the real obligation
we all have to help the least fortunate around the world. It’s
given me a Vincentian spirit that I will share with others
throughout my life.”