Blooming Far from Home: My St. John’s Journey

When I graduated high school, my class theme was “Bloom where you’re planted.” At the time, it felt like a simple inspirational phrase printed across a program. Years later, I understand it as a quiet truth that has shaped my life. My journey at St. John’s University reflects what it means to grow in unfamiliar places, to persevere through challenge, and to discover purpose far from home.

My connection to St. John’s began long before I entered a classroom. I first encountered the University at college fairs as a teenager, and then through emails that made campus feel familiar before I ever arrived. By the time I attended Accepted Student Day in 2019, I had already sensed that this was where I was meant to be. With my family’s encouragement, nearby relatives, and financial aid that made studying in the United States possible, I chose St. John’s as the place where I would pursue my ambitions. I arrived as an international student from Jamaica and went on to earn a B.S. in Business Analytics and an M.S. in Marketing Intelligence.

Jamaica is often known for its beauty, but what defines it most is its spirit. It is a culture rooted in warmth, faith, resilience, and community. We are raised to support one another, celebrate joy, and endure hardship with strength. Carrying that foundation with me shaped how I approached life abroad and grounded me during moments of uncertainty.

Adjusting to a new country brought challenges I anticipated and others I did not. There were moments of homesickness, demanding coursework, long commutes, and the unfamiliar cold of New York winters. I missed the everyday comforts of home, from family dinners to the ocean air. Financial pressures and work restrictions added another layer of difficulty. At times, I questioned whether I was capable of sustaining the path I had chosen. What sustained me was the community I found.

Programs such as Project AIM helped me build structure and confidence early in my college experience. Faculty and staff mentors encouraged me when I needed reassurance most. During a particularly difficult period when I unknowingly violated my academic status, the guidance I received from the International Student and Scholars office was transformative. I was met not with judgment, but with support and clarity. That experience showed me that St. John’s is defined not only by academics, but by people who are invested in student success.

Throughout my time at the University, I became deeply involved in campus life. I served as Vice President of the Marketing Club, President of Omicron Delta Kappa, and a member of the Caribbean Student Association. I also worked in Athletics, New Student Orientation, and Alumni Relations, which allowed me to engage with students and families across different stages of their journeys. One of the most formative parts of my experience was the R.I.S.E. Network, a first-year mentoring program that strengthened my leadership and sense of purpose. Later, as the Graduate Assistant for First-Year Mentoring Programs, I contributed to the department’s rebranding and supported approximately 1,000 mentors and mentees across the R.I.S.E. and E.P.I.C. Mentor programs. These experiences helped me discover not only what I could achieve, but how I could empower others.

Many of my most meaningful memories at St. John’s centers on shared moments of connection. Serving on the 2025 Stormin’ Loud committee allowed me to help create an event that brought students together through energy and celebration. Tip-Off was a defining tradition, especially my freshman year with Juice WRLD, when the excitement in the arena captured the spirit of campus life.

As President of Sinai’s Radiant Liturgical Dance Ministry during my senior year, I had the honor of collaborating with my team to produce our annual showcase, an event that reflected faith, artistry, and unity. I also recall the World Cup 2022 season, when classrooms in Marillac became gathering spaces and students bonded over matches streaming on shared screens. Those experiences revealed how quickly community can form when people unite around joy.

Studying abroad has been essential to my personal and professional growth. It strengthened my adaptability, expanded my global perspective, and deepened my determination to pursue a career that connects people and ideas across cultures. For someone interested in marketing and experiential spaces, international experience is not simply beneficial—it is foundational.

As I look toward the future, I carry both gratitude and purpose. I aspire to build a career that creates meaningful experiences, reflects intention, and opens doors for others. I also hope that future international students arrive at St. John’s already knowing what I learned along the way: they belong, their voices matter, and their potential is limitless.

St. John’s did more than educate me. It cultivated me, challenged me, and shaped me into the person I am becoming. It became a second home. My story stands as proof that even when life plants you far from what is familiar, you can still bloom exactly where you are.