Meet Student Exchange Participants​

Anna Franek, St. Catherine University
Studied at: Mount Saint Mary’s University 
Majors: Accounting and Marketing major, ASL minor
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I have always been interested in traveling and seeing more of the United States, but I wasn’t ready to move across the country after graduating high school. The Student Exchange Program was an exciting opportunity for me to be close to home for most of my college experience while also being able to explore a different state. My mom split her time in college between St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN and Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, CA, and hearing her stories made me excited to participate in the Student Exchange Program!

During Spring of 2020 I swapped the cold, snowy weather in Minnesota for sun and palm trees in California! I received a warm welcome from students and staff and felt right at home. I enjoyed the small class environment where I was able to make friends, connect with professors, and feel the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph spread throughout campus. I loved my new school from the beginning and quickly adjusted to my busy life in California. I became friends with students who are involved in Campus Ministry, and by my first weekend there I was serving communion at Sunday Mass and continued doing so for the rest of my time! I attended many club events, including Crafternoons, Student Government Association, roller skating with Residence Life, and endless celebrations in the Student Lounge. I got a job at the campus bookstore as a way to meet more students and fund my adventures. During my free time I enjoyed spending time at the pool, going for walks around campus, and visiting local areas such as Santa Monica Pier, UCLA/Westwood, and Sawtelle.

As a visiting student, I participated in trips with other exchange students to Hollywood, visited a few museums, and even had plans to visit Disneyland and Universal Studios before COVID-19. I packed so many adventures and experiences in my short time at Mount Saint Mary’s University, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Student Exchange Program. ​

​Check out the video to learn more about my experience. 
Julie Tapia, Mount Saint Mary's University
Studied at: Regis College & St. Joseph's University 
Majors: Psychology & Religious Studies
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​During my first two years of college, I remember being captivated by the mission to “always move toward profound love”, a common phrase used by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. At some point, I realized that I really resonated with the charism and in result sought out the exchange opportunity to, quite literally, move toward profound love by traveling to other schools within the country that embodied such wisdom.

Out of the nine-member campuses to choose from, I decided to spend fall semester at Regis College in Greater Boston and spring semester at St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, New York. As a person who loves to travel, I was ecstatic to experience a new culture and community that I’ve never been exposed to - so my journey from coast to coast began!
The minute I stepped foot on the beautiful Regis campus, I was welcomed with open arms by both the students and staff. They made sure to make me feel comfortable and provided me with a vast selection of ways to get involved on campus. During my time at Regis, I took upper-division classes, joined 3 clubs, volunteered in Boston, joined glee, and served an active role in their office of Ministry and Service. At St. Joseph’s University, I was also active in Campus Ministry and lived in an off-campus dorm.

I am so grateful for the ACSSJ program which provided me this once in a lifetime experience! Because of this opportunity, I feel that I can confidently move forward with my professional career as well as my spiritual life. I have also been able to stay on track with my education and have two experiences on the East Coast

Check out the video to learn more about her experience. 
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Danielle Fieseler, St. Joseph's University
Studied at: The College of Saint Rose
Majors: Mathematics & Computer Science
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Danielle Fieseler, a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science, is originally from St. Joseph’s University Long Island Campus. Eager to experience new things, Danielle decided to take part in the Student Exchange Program through the Association--the first student from her campus to participate. We checked in with her to see how she’s doing. Of her experience so far she says, “It’s been a really cool process. I wouldn’t change it for the world.” 

Danielle’s transition was unique. She comes from a commuter campus, so adjustment to dorm life was both exciting and difficult. As she says, “It was very different.” Arriving as a senior, Danielle met some challenges. “I’m a senior so a lot of students had their friends,” she says. “I’m just starting to make friends now and get acclimated to the new environment.” She loves her apartment and the new relationships she has made. Though she gets homesick, Danielle is enjoying her independence--from walking to the grocery store around the corner to spending time at her best friends apartment around the block to meeting up with people for coffee and lunch, she is savoring the experience.

The staff at the College of Saint Rose has helped ease her transition. “My professors are great--they are open to any ideas,” Danielle says. “The professors get to know me one on one. They really look at you--they help mold and guide you.” Her classes are challenging but beneficial. Danielle says, “I feel like I learned more about myself as a person. I feel like I am being prepared for the workforce.” She is learning what it means to stand up and be heard in a male-dominated field. When asked what advice she would give to students who wish to participate or are about to enter this program she says, “Take every opportunity that you can. If I had the opportunity to extend my stay, I would. I wish I knew about this experience sooner. I wish I could have done it for the Fall and Spring. I wish others students knew about it. Seek out opportunities.” 

The Student Exchange Program offers students from member campuses a unique opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and explore. Danielle emphasizes that the process to apply is easy--take a leap of faith and do it!
Estefani Alarcon, Mount Saint Mary's University
Studied at: St. Joseph's University, Brooklyn
Majors: Film, media and social justice & Journalism
​As a new student at Mount Saint Mary's, I heard about the ACSSJ Student Exchange Program.  I was excited about the possibility of studying at another university and returning to New York City.
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​I would like to take advantage of different opportunities at St. Joseph's University.  I have been volunteering with a non-profit in Los Angeles, I am applying to internships in New York City that are connected with my major to advance my future carer plans in working for a non-profit. 

Additionally, I was seeking an adventure.  I want to be exposed to different communities, culture and needs by exploring and becoming a part of a different community other than the one I've experienced for 2 and a half years at Mount Saint Mary's University. It's my time for change.
Rebecca Daml, St. Catherine University
Studied at: Chestnut Hill College
Major: Business Administration: Marketing & Management
​Minors: Sales and Spanish
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While participating in a volunteer board during high school, I was told by another board member, who was a successful CEO and owner of his own business, “My one recommendation when you go to college is to study in another state to learn about different communities... the people, their values, and what makes them unique.” This stuck with me.
 
I had looked at schools out east when first applying to college but found it wasn’t financially feasible… until I heard about The Association of Colleges of Sisters of St. Joseph's Student Exchange Program.  This Program is providing me with the opportunity I am seeking.  I chose Chestnut Hill College since it’s a few hours from Washington, DC and New York, NY. I want to see what these cities offer; especially in regards to business, marketing, sales, and Spanish.  All of my grants and scholarships I’d received from my home school, St. Catherine University, remained in tact which was a huge bonus!

I’m passionate about this program and believe every student associated with these institutions should utilize this opportunity!
Lauren Lau, Chestnut Hill College
Studied at: Mount Saint Mary's University
Major: Journalism
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I wanted to experience a brand new surrounding, something I was completely unfamiliar with. I also wanted to see what more I could do with my interest in Journalism. I felt that going to a new place would help me grow both professionally and personally.
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​This [exchange] opportunity has made me more confident in my academics. I have learned so much about what else is out there outside of what I have grown up knowing. A new setting has helped me focus on my future and what I am hoping to get out of my entire college experience. Personally, I feel that the Student Exchange Program increased my interest in my future career. I am constantly learning more about what the field is like both inside and outside of the classroom.
Jordan Clark, Chestnut Hill College
Studied at: Mount Saint Mary's University
Major: Journalism
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Coming from a small school, just attending Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia was a big jump for me. Going to Los Angeles was an even bigger step but I had to step outside of my comfort zone. I had wanted to study abroad but due to financial reasons, I knew it wasn’t in the cards for me. However, this study away program was a bit more feasible and gave me a real opportunity to meet other people who live in a different culture, but in the same country. I wanted to experience something different, and so far I have. 
I would tell [other students], this has to be something you really want to do. You have to be willing to get outside of your comfort zone and take the opportunities that are handed to you. Some people may never be able to experience this, so do it while you’re young. Travel somewhere where you know is outside of your norm, the more open you are, and the more excitement you’ll find will enter your life. Meet new people, explore new places, do something that makes you happy, you can find happiness anywhere, you just have to be open to it.