Meet Student Exchange Participants
Anna Franek, St. Catherine University
Studied at: Mount Saint Mary’s University
Majors: Accounting and Marketing major, ASL minor
Studied at: Mount Saint Mary’s University
Majors: Accounting and Marketing major, ASL minor
![]() 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 College
Majors: Psychology & Religious Studies
Studied at: Regis College & St. Joseph's College
Majors: Psychology & Religious Studies
![]() 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 College 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 College, I was also active in Campus Ministry and lived in a 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 College
Studied at: The College of Saint Rose
Majors: Mathematics & Computer Science
Studied at: The College of Saint Rose
Majors: Mathematics & Computer Science
Estefani Alarcon, Mount Saint Mary's University
Studied at: St. Joseph's College, 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.
I would like to take advantage of different opportunities at St. Joseph's College. I have been volunteered 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. |
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Jordan Clark, Chestnut Hill College
Studied at: Mount Saint Mary's University
Major: Journalism
Studied at: Mount Saint Mary's University
Major: Journalism