Meet Student Exchange Participants​

Anna Franck, St. Catherine University
Studied at: Mount Saint Mary’s University 
Majors: Accounting and Marketing major, ASL minor
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Anna Franek, a sophomore originally from St. Catherine University in Minnesota, is currently majoring in Accounting and Marketing and minoring in ASL.

After her mother’s experience through the Student Exchange Program several years ago, Anna decided to leave Minnesota to experience something different but not too far from home. That is when she decided to attend Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, California during Spring 2020. She loved the new school from the beginning and she quickly adjusted to her busy life in California.  

​As a visiting student, she participated in trips to Hollywood, visited a few museums, and even had plans to visit Disneyland and Universal Studios before COVID-19. However, Anna was able to meet many other exchange students from all over the world. 

​Check out the video to learn more about her expereince. 
Julie Tapia, Mount Saint Mary's University
Studied at: Regis College & St. Joseph's College 
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 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
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Danielle Fieseler, St. Joseph's College
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 College 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 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.
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​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.
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.