School and Year
St. John’s College of Liberal Arts, ‘07
Background
I am 2nd generation Puerto Rican American, currently living
in New Jersey. Aside from brief periods in Mexico while
visiting family in southern California, I have never traveled
abroad. I was a student on the Staten Island Campus.
Major
Government and Politics
Global Study Program
Discover the World: Europe (Salamanca, Rome, Paris)
Where are you originally from?
Brooklyn, NY
What student clubs, sports, or
extracurricular activities are you involved?
Presidents Society, Student Government, Orientation Leader,
Criminal Justice Association, Latin American Student Organization,
Future Alumni Association & the Multi-Cultural Student
Organization.
Why did you decide to study
abroad?
It has always been one of my goals in life, to live and study in
another country. The opportunity for study abroad at the Rome
campus is actually the main
reason I chose St. John’s.
What appealed to you about the particular
program you selected?
The innovative approach of a multi country study abroad program in
three of Europe’s most sought-after countries.
What did you like best about studying
abroad?
Experiencing European customs and traditions, and being able to
identify and analyze their ways of life as the ancestral foundation
of both my Caribbean heritage and American culture.
What was your most memorable
experience?
I don’t have a single most memorable experience, or favorite city
or culture. Every country I visited, both in and out of the
program, created a “most memorable” experience. Salamanca had
the most profound connection to the Age of Discovery. Rome
had the most breathtaking sunsets and delicious cuisine.
Paris, I had the most unexpected bond with Paris because of its
remarkable similarities to New York City. Both in its
landscape, ethnic make-up and patronage to hip hop culture, Paris
was my most surprising and non-stereotypical experience in
Europe.
How has the study abroad experience
affected you now that they are back in New York?
Unfortunately it was a very difficult transition returning to daily
life in New York after traveling like a rock star for four
months. However, there were some life changing, and arguably
life saving, customs I picked up on while was I out there.
The most important being; work to live, not live to work. For
the most part, Americans define our success by the money we make
and the titles we hold. To attain such things is relatively
easy given the resources available to us in this country. The
most difficult challenge is being able to balance professional
responsibility and quality time in your personal life, whether it
is with family, the pursuit of travel, a passion for art, dinning,
etc. Since my return home, I’ve let go of my workaholic ways,
and have seeked to find that balance which will ultimately lead to
a much more rewarding and happy life.
Would you recommend studying abroad
to a friend?
Absolutely! DTW fulfilled one of my life’s dreams. It
was everything I expected and more. I was probably most
happiest during my time abroad because I knew I was blessed with an
opportunity most people, and certainly not anyone in my family,
will ever experience.