SHU encourages its students to embrace the Pioneer spirit and explore the world around them. With international campuses in both Luxembourg and Ireland, Sacred Heart students can study abroad in a variety of programs. These programs range from two weeks to a semester long. Secret Heart also has several service learning opportunities where students travel abroad to work alongside their outreach partners, giving students the chance to use their classroom knowledge, to make a real world impact. We’re gonna hear from Nikki, a communications graduate student over at the Martire Center for the Liberal Arts to learn more, Nikki.
– Hey everyone, today I have the privilege of talking to you about my study abroad and global experiences. Growing up on the North shore of Massachusetts, I always knew I wanted to attend a university that allowed me to push my limits and explore the world. Sacred Heart study abroad programs gives students limitless opportunities to travel the world and give back all while creating lifelong memories. In undergrad, I majored in communications with a minor in film and television. During my sophomore year, I was presented with the opportunity to take a two-week course in one of our international campuses located in Dingle, Ireland. This program was the gateway to my study abroad experience that taught me new methods within the film industry and international cultures I would soon learn to love. The second we landed in Dingle, Ireland, I knew it was going to be the trip of a lifetime. During these next two weeks, I was able to indulge myself into the culture of Dingle and the Irish heritage. From endless cliff walks along the greens of the countryside, and listening to live music in the pub, even to exploring world famous movie sets like Star Wars, Last Jedi and traveling to beautiful cities like Killarney, the memories I made were truly life-changing. They were so life-changing, I decided to go back for a second time, the winter of my junior year. SHU’s other international campus in Luxembourg is another global hub. I was once again allowed to take a two-week intensive course in one of the business capitals of the world. Since Luxembourg is such a unique and commutable location, I was able to see and create the most during my time on our campus. From a weekend trip in Paris to visiting the historic city of Trier in Germany, the memories I made in Luxembourg gave me such a surreal experience in a short amount of time on their campus. Many of my other peers got to travel to countries like England, Italy, China and Australia, due to the partnerships our university has with programs around the world. I want to leave you with this one piece of advice, study abroad. Five years ago, when I walked onto this campus for the first time, I did not realize that my opportunities went beyond the Fairfield campus. Today, I have been to five different countries, created lifelong friends and memories all while pursuing an educational opportunity I will carry with me forever. So, during your time at Sacred Heart, travel to new places, learn new cultures but most importantly, wherever you go, go with your heart. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, so many amazing experiences. With two global campuses, you have the opportunity to travel, volunteer, be exposed to new ways of life and make an impact on the world that is absolutely awesome. Thank you for sharing that, take care, Nikki.
Okay, let’s hit over and meet Erin, an education major who’s chosen Sam Houston State’s nationally ranked College of Education to help her become an elementary teacher. She is waiting for us near Austin Hall, which is located on the historic end of campus. Austin Hall is the oldest building, west of the Mississippi River to be used continuously by an educational institution. And it’s the oldest structure on the Sam Houston State campus. Erin, please take it away.
– Thanks Alex. Hi everyone. I’m Erin Griffin and I’m a senior here at Sam Houston State, majoring in education. Ever since I can remember, pursuing my education has been a big goal of mine. ‘Cause I knew that a good education would help me overcome the many obstacles I faced while growing up. Due to unfortunate events, my family and I were homeless for a while. So my mom’s sister and I frequently moved around Texas to stay with different family or friends that could help us. Nevertheless, I challenged myself in every way that I could in school ’cause I knew that was the key to securing a brighter future for myself and for my family. The day that I graduated high school in the top 5% of my class, I knew that my hard work had paid off. But, I also knew that I wasn’t done yet. Since education impacted my life so much, I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to positively impact the lives of others through education as well. The start of my journey here, at Sam Houston State University. Sam Houston was founded as a teacher’s college right here in one of our most iconic buildings, Austin Hall. In 1879, four faculty members set out to make teachers out of their first 110 students. While we don’t hold classes in this building anymore, we do still a whole special events here, which students are always excited to attend. To this day, teaching is an integral part of our university culture. With a nationally ranked education program, I knew I would have the opportunity to be the best teacher I could be here at Sam Houston. With a ride of variety of helpful resources available to students, I’ve been able to take care of myself and become financially stable for the first time in years. I know that my hard work and dedication to my education has opened up opportunities that I never thought I would have. My time here at Sam Houston State is just one piece of my journey, which I am thankful for every single day. I look forward to teaching, mentoring and caring for my future students, just as all of my teachers and professors have done for me. Anything is possible with an education. Thanks for letting me share my story. Now back to you, Alex.
– Erin, what a journey you have had up to this point in life. I know your time in the College of Education is gonna prepare you to be an amazing teacher. Students would be very lucky to be in Miss Griffin’s class. Thanks for sharing your story, cheers Erin.
Next, we’re headed over to the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center, the hallmark of the nationally ranked College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State. Here, we’ll meet Francisco, a criminal justice major who came to the university as a military veteran. Take it away, Francisco.
– Thanks Alex. Hi everyone. Transitioning from the military to Sam Houston State University as a first-generation college student, the challenges I faced were tougher than I expected. Thankfully, Sam Houston State University offers great resources and is considered a military friendly school. To start off, the Veterans Resource Center assisted me with my VA education benefits and provided academic support throughout my college experience. The Veterans Resource Center is a great location to use the computer lab, to study, to meet with veteran students or to meet with veteran support staff for services and information. The Collegiate Veterans Association also helped me with my transition. We are a student club who provide support to our members during their transition from a military culture to a college culture. One of my favorite events is a yellow ribbon, which occurs every year during the fall semester. During Veterans Week in November, we hang yellow ribbons with note cards to display the many sacrifices that our service members and families make. And to also show community support and wishing them a safe return back home. I chose Sam Houston State University because of its prestigious criminal justice program. One of the things that I love about the program is the variety of internships offered at the federal, state, local agencies, nonprofit organizations and private corporations. Halfway through my junior year, I decided to change major to homeland security, which is a new program offered to us. And let’s just say that I loved the new program and loved the classes offered. Sam Houston State University is a great college for anyone looking to pursue a career in law enforcement, corrections or their justice system. I am thankful for all of the people that made my university experience memorable. And I am proud to be part of the veteran community here at Sam Houston State University. Thank you guys for letting me share my story. Now back to you, Alex.
– Francisco, thank you for your service to our nation and to the veteran students of Sam Houston State University, the Veterans Resource Center is a great resource for veterans students and their families to transition and connect with the university. It’s fantastic to see how you found your home here. Best of luck as you head into your career in homeland security, take care.
– Okay, everyone. Let’s meet Carla. She’s a senior majoring in Communication. She’s gonna tell us why St. Edward’s has been the perfect school for her. And we’ll hear how St. Ed’s location and connections in Austin provide incredible opportunities for Hilltoppers. Okay, Carla, it is all yours.
– Thanks Alex. Hey everyone! I’m a first-gen student. So when I first started looking for a college, I had no idea what I was looking for. I did know that I wanted to live in Austin for its thriving job market and to surround myself with creative and inspiring individuals. When I found out St. Edward’s is located on SoCo and is a school that values diversity and community, I knew it was the college for me. I love the way St. Edward’s has helped me grow and build a strong path for my future through mentors and networking. I chose to study Communication with a focus in Public Relations and Advertising. Because classes are small, you really get to interact and connect with your professors. In class, we’re given real-world projects, like creating a PR plan for an Austin non-profit. My professors guided me and taught me how to gain connections that have truly launched my PR career. As the Media Manager for the Bumble Ambassador Program on campus, I get to lead and create social media content, host events, and participate and grow in marketing. I am also interning at an amazing PR firm here in Austin, where I get to work with some pretty cool clients. And back on campus, I’m proud to serve as the President of the PR club. St. Edward’s has made it easy for me to navigate school, have an exciting social life, and find my place in a big city. The hands-on learning environment and prioritization of experiential learning is a big reason for my success. Not only is there inspiration and resources everywhere you look, but you get to live in one of the most exciting and beautiful cities with a great combo of nature, art, and a strong job market. I love hiking at Zilker Park, paddle boarding at Ladybird or Barton Springs. And of course, walking down SoCo and grabbing pizza at Home Slice. St. Edward’s supportive and diverse community has helped me grow professionally and personally in many ways. I have gained the knowledge and a passion for PR, all while having a blast in the Live Music Capital of the world. I cannot wait to start working at a PR agency here in Austin once I graduate from St. Ed’s. Back to you, Alex!
– Carla, thank you for letting us see what a phenomenal city Austin is for St. Ed’s students. I can’t wait to experience Zilker Park and SoCo, and try the pizza at Home Slice And congrats on your cool internship with an Austin PR agency and being a Media Ambassador with Bumble. That is incredible. You’re building terrific job skills. Keep up the great work, Carla!
Next up is Evan, a big adventure-seeker. He’s a junior majoring in Communication and he’s excited to share his personal story about being a student at St. Edward’s. We can’t wait to hear about all the academic and social activities he’s involved with on the Hilltop. And there are many. Okay, Evan, you’re on.
– Thanks for the welcome, Alex. Hey everyone! When it came to finding the college that was right for me, I knew that I wanted to go somewhere where I could have my own fun, exciting adventure, and also be kind of far away from home. At St. Edward’s, it’s been the perfect fit for me. I’ve always been someone who likes to try new things and have many different interests. Whether it be academics, athletics, clubs, or internships, I’ve been able to find them all here at St. Edwards and experience them, which has resulted in an adventure of a lifetime. Although we may be considered a smaller university, the opportunities for involvement are endless. In just three years alone, I’ve been able to leverage so many of the opportunities that St. Edward’s has to offer, like club volleyball, Ooh! Honors program, student government, orientation, campus ministry, admissions, and internships. But the best part is I get to do all of these great things in the heart of the city where my school life blends perfectly with Austin’s food and music scenes and not to mention, outdoor recreation. My favorite thing to do is to play beach volleyball at Zilker Park, grab some Torchy’s Tacos, and then some Amy’s ice cream to finish off the perfect day. I really do get to have the best of both worlds. There are so many ways to get involved here at St. Edwards, and there’s something for everyone. You can find your fit here. Because at St. Ed’s, I’ve received a top-tier Holy Cross education, made lifelong friends and memories, and I’ve been able to pursue an acting career with a highly reputable agent and manager in Hollywood, while also having a job offer for me at one of the country’s fastest growing tech companies in snowflake after I graduate. St. Ed’s has given me the opportunity to have an active social life and also to chase and pursue my dreams. I couldn’t be happier as a Hilltopper and St. Edward’s has truly given me the opportunity and adventure of a lifetime. Well, I think it’s time for me to go back to class. Take it away, Alex!
– Evan, you are one busy guy between your academic achievements, internship, club sport teams, band, volunteering, and enjoying Austin. You’re absolutely taking advantage of everything St. Ed’s offers. Congrats on your job offer with a big tech company and pursuing your career in entertainment. We all know you’re gonna do great things, and I hope we bump shoulders in Hollywood down the road. Cheers, Evan!
Let’s head over to meet Maryam. She’s an international student from Tabriz, Iran, and I know she can’t wait to talk about what she’s found at SDSU and the opportunity she’s had to dream big. Maryam, you’re up.
– Thank you for the introduction, Alex. Hey, everyone. Growing up in Iran, even with all the limitations, I was always encouraged by my parents to dream big. And that is why I chose to study abroad and found myself at South Dakota State University. Ever since the first day I came to SDSU, I was welcomed by a diverse and friendly community of students, and I immediately made friends. Especially during events such as orientation day, homecoming, and international night, which I performed at. I also lived in the university town homes with my roommates, who later became some of my best friends. There are always opportunities to do new things and step out of your comfort zone, while in the process you are gaining new skills and new friends. The university staff and professors have always shown great passion in actively helping me find my path. The Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering has a long standard of excellence. In fact, a Fortune 500 Company started within our faculty years ago. And just down the road, there are opportunities to work with some nationally recognized companies, such as 3M, Daktronics, and Larson Manufacturing. I have been working in the asphalt lab of the college for the past two years, studying civil engineering. This opportunity has allowed me to do impactful research and even publish two papers. If you like getting involved, you can combine your studies and your hobbies with clubs that compete nationally in robotics, engineering, and many other areas. Finishing my degree from SDSU means a new beginning for me, as I hope to continue conducting research that will lead to more sustainable pavements and improve the lives of many. That is my story. Thank you so much for letting me share it. Back to you, Alex.
– Maryam, that is awesome! We have no doubt that like the founders of Daktronics, other community partners, or the outstanding SDSU engineering graduates who make a positive impact on the world, will soon see your name as a leader industry. Take care, Maryam. Okay, our next segment is all about innovation and leading the way.
All right, everyone, let’s meet Matthias. He’s studying Economics at SDSU, and he’s gonna talk about the Ness School of Management and Economics. Matthias, take it away my man.
– Thanks, Alex. Growing up on a fourth generation family farm in rural Southwest Minnesota, I was looking for a university that had numerous opportunities to meet my career ambitions. In addition to the countless extracurricular South Dakota State University has to offer, I was also drawn to SDSU because of their strong agricultural programs, small class sizes, and experiential learning courses. Many of my favorite experiential learning courses are offered here in the First Dakota National Bank e-Trading Lab within Harding Hall, home to the Ness School of Management and Economics. The lab houses 11 Bloomberg terminals with capabilities of real time financial data and news. These terminals and the communal environment greatly helps students perform financial research for one of my favorite classes, the Student Managed Investment Fund, where we manage a $460,000 donation. We select, analyze, and make stock pitches for class. These resources have given us the unique opportunity to present our portfolio several times at the Quinnipiac Game Forum, which is the largest competitive student-run financial conference in the world. When the stock market closes, I enjoy being on campus to be a part of the unique campus community and participate in several of the over 250 extracurricular organizations our university has to offer. One of my favorite clubs that I’m involved in is the Country Swing Dance Club. This club welcomes all students to the on-campus Wellness Center to learn how to swing dance from upperclassmen. It’s a great way to learn a new skill and meet new people. Not only has SDSU taught me how to swing dance, but it has also given me a vast amount of knowledge and practical real world experience to apply in my future career in agribusiness. As we Jackrabbits like to say, “go big, go blue, go Jacks!” Now back to you, Alex.
– Thanks for sharing your story Matthias. How about that? The Ness School of Management and Economics is one of the many places at SDSU where you’ll find real life opportunities to grow and learn at State. Very impressive. Thanks again, Matthias.
Staying healthy both physically and mentally is vital to helping you get the most out of college and life. Rory, a senior majoring in Communication is up next. He’ll tell us about the many resources and opportunities at St. Edward’s that support your total health and well-being. You are on, Rory.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. Being a college student is really fun and exciting, but it’s also incredibly stressful and overwhelming at times. I’ve been really fortunate to be able to maintain an overall well-being, while simultaneously balancing friends, activities, events, work, school, and trying to plan for the future. But juggling all of these things is really just a lot to ask of yourself. St. Edward’s and Live Well SEU has provided me with countless resources that I need to take care of all these things and myself. The Recreation and Athletic Center, or as we like to call it here on campus the RACK, provides opportunities for more than just your physical health, but also emotional, environmental, and social well-being. Anytime I need to unwind, I can use the tech-free lounge, sign up for a class in the fitness studio, or sign up for wellness coaching. As a student worker in the RACK, I’m surrounded by incredible faculty, staff, peers who all value and encourage the pursuit of well-being. The student-led workshops for both physical and mental health have really changed my life, and helped me to grow throughout my years here at school. And I’ve been able to balance all of this with my studies through the support of my success coaches and faculty advisers. Live Well SEU has provided me opportunities to boost my emotional, vocational, and social well-being. This St. Edward’s community has helped me and supported me, given me all the tools that I need to effectively, and successfully take charge of my life. And so, here’s a little bit of wisdom that I’ve gained. Take care of yourself first, because then naturally, the rest will follow. Back to you, Alex.
– We’ll do, Rory! Great advice! Thanks for sharing your story on this incredibly important topic. It’s great to see how St. Ed’s is committed to helping students take care of every aspect of their health and well-being. Live Well SEU is an awesome asset for Hilltoppers. Congrats on making your health a priority. And, Rory, I gotta get one of those nap pods! That’s awesome! Take care.
Now let’s go and take a look at something that statistics say, well, over 90% of you enjoy spending time doing, video games. Suzie is studying at the Hillier College of Architecture and Design, and we can’t wait to hear about how she has been able to turn her designs into games. Suzie, ready, player one, you’re up.
– Hi everyone. It’s a beautiful day here in Newark, New Jersey. I found myself at NJIT after following my childhood best friend. We grew up together on our computers and playing video games. I knew NJIT would help me combine my passions of art and technology into a digital design career. Becoming a digital designer at NJIT has exposed me to a world I never thought imaginable. Now, through user experience design, I explore process making, storytelling, world-building and more. NJIT has tested and challenged my creativity to problem solve while working across disciplines. Between the Ying Wu College of Computing and the Hillier College of Architecture and Design, I took part in projects from app design to 3D modeling, to AR VR and game design. I connected with amazing people inside and outside of the studio, where we collaborate to make our ideas come to life. My favorite project is my virtual reality experience. No farms, no food to highlight sustainable agriculture. I’ve received hands-on experience in labs for motion capture, research, animation, and mixed realities while working alongside great professors. Being a resident assistant showed me the importance of community and the efforts NJIT puts into creating them to help their students succeed. With extracurriculars like SIGGRAPH and e-sports, you’ll always feel at home. NJIT’s investment in value has made it the number one game design school in New Jersey. That’s all possible with amazing programs filled with great professors. With so many options, there’s always an opportunity around the corner to level up. A college education is more than learning skills for a job. It’s the interactions, experiences, and connections you make throughout to become the best version of yourself personally and professionally, just like a game, which you learn all about here at NJIT. Back to you, Alex.
– Suzie, that looked like a lot of fun, and there’s a tremendous amount of work that goes into that fun. And it’s great that you can collaborate with fellow designers and programmers to bring your vision to life right here at NJIT. Keep me in mind when you need a beta tester for your next game. Take care of Suzie.
Carla is an Engineering major in the Newark college of engineering here at NJIT. One of the things that may surprise you about Carla fell in love with, at a STEM school, is the diversity here at NJIT. Part of NIJIT’s mission is to vastly increase minority representation in high pain STEM careers. And they’re striving to do that right here on campus. Carla, you are up.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. Hey, everyone. Growing up, I had such a love for both Math and Science. All throughout high school, I had constant internal battles over my ultimate career decisions. Around my junior year of high school, I decided I wanted to go into engineering. Next came the struggle of deciding what kind of engineering I wanted to go into. NJIT seemed like an amazing fit because it was the only university I saw that had a General Engineering program. I fell in love with a General Engineering option, as it allowed me to explore all the different fields of engineering and unique careers that came with each one. Being born in the Philippines and moving to America at a young age, I did not grow up in a diverse community. Coming to enjoy it and seeing so many people from different backgrounds felt like a breath of fresh air. I felt so welcomed and all my freshmen nerves immediately vanished. Diversity and inclusion is what makes NJIT great. The university has become a melting pot by being a second home to so many people from different backgrounds and experiences. I am an example of that. Coming into NJIT, you see so many clubs and activities with focuses on diversity and inclusion. Being involved in that really makes you feel at home. I couldn’t have asked for a better school for me than NJIT. The procedure STEM education and focuses on career paths, as well as the ability to meet new people and gain those life experiences is what made NJIT my top choice and why I’m so excited for where my future at NJIT will take me. That’s all for me. Back to you, Alex.
– That is inspiring, Carla, just listening to your story really highlights the welcoming environment for everyone here at NJIT. It sounds like you’ve made relationships that will last a lifetime and really serve you well throughout your future career. Take care, Carla.