Erin Nester became a part of the St. John’s Rome team in 2009
after a long journey that began in a small town outside of San
Antonio, Texas. After completing her undergraduate studies in
French Language and Literature at the University of Texas at
Austin, Erin volunteered with the Peace Corps, working as an
English teacher and teacher trainer in the Republic of Georgia. She
then went on to receive a Master’s degree in International Training
and Education at American University. Since then, she’s worked in a
number of positions that have given her a wealth of experience in
international travel and education, including teaching, managing
university academic support programs, and working at an
international educational non-profit organization that included a
leadership program for Iraqi undergraduate students.
Since taking her current position as Assistant Director of the St.
John’s Rome campus, Erin’s been closely involved in the daily
operation of our programs in Rome, from student affairs to
academics. Although she appreciates the opportunity to live and
work in the Eternal City, she loves her job just as much for the
chance to interact with St. John’s students. “They’re such a
diverse group of students,” she explains, “many of whom come to our
programs already with a lot of interesting life experience.”
Still, she says, it’s hard to ignore the irresistible charms of
living in Italy: “What stands out are the values that ultimately
place family, friends and enjoyment of life first.” Those values
translate to an appreciation for aesthetics in fashion, art and
architecture that Erin especially admires, given her own love of
those things. It’s no surprise, then, that her favorite Roman
attractions include the Teatro Marcello and the Portico d’Ottavia,
but she also enjoys going off the beaten track and just wandering
unfamiliar neighborhoods of the city. She encourages first-time
travelers to do the same, while cautioning them to look past the
minor inconveniences of their time abroad to appreciate the big
picture: “Living and travelling abroad are not always easy or
convenient, so embrace this aspect of it as well!”