Trailblazing from Trinidad to New York

It’s not often you get to meet an international student at St. John’s, but if you do, it is worth the time to get to know them better and learn about how they arrived on the Queens, NY, campus. Take Matthew Gibbs for example. Matthew, who is from Trinidad, is pursuing a Master of Science degree in International Communication in The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies.

Before arriving in New York City, Matthew was not sure what to expect. He had heard about St. John’s from a friend and was excited to see what “the city that never sleeps” had in store for him.

Life in the United States for an international student presents challenges, and Matthew said that making friends was difficult at first—but he found it even more challenging to secure the financing needed and apply for scholarships to fund his education.

Participating in the student orientation in August 2021 helped him meet people and form lifelong friendships. “The University did an excellent job of making people feel comfortable while being so far from home,” he noted.

Since moving to the US for college, he has been utilizing the academic and career resources offered at St. John’s. Matthew is currently the building administrator for Century Hall, home to more than 320 residents and 10 resident assistants, many of whom are international students as well. There, he puts his problem-solving skills to the test while staying focused on his studies and his future. Upon graduating in May, he plans to stay in the US for at least another year and continue his involvement with Residence Life on campus.

When asked to give advice to students currently abroad or to those thinking of applying to schools outside of their home country, Matthew said, “Be actively involved around campus once stepping foot in your new home. Take the initiative, connect with teachers and employers, and make the first move when you see something you want. If you show interest in something, someone will make it happen.”

Putting his words into action outside of the classroom, you can find Matthew serving on the International Student Council, which is “a centralized platform for global community building, responding to global needs impacting students, and promoting activities and pathways that lead to a stronger sense of belonging at St. John’s University.”   

Danielle Campos-Martel is majoring in journalism in The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies and is currently studying abroad in the Western Europe Semester program in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France.