Nicholas was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2015 term. He is a current student at Pace University studying at John cabot University (JCU) in Rome, Italy during the Spring 2015 term.

Tell us why you chose to study abroad.
The opportunity to study in another country is something I won’t have for a long time after college and I feel it’ll be a great learning experience personally & academically.

Tell us about your school, major, interests, clubs (you in a nutshell).
I attend Pace University in New York City and I’m majoring in Marketing with a concentration in advertising. In school, I’m the social media director for the Advertising Club and do freelance graphic design on the side. I’ve had internships in the most varied industries from working at Bonnaroo to a political campaign. Really, I’m just trying everything to find what I want to do after graduation. That’s why we’re in college, right?

What are you most excited about are studying abroad?
There are so many things, but my number one has to be food! My parents spoiled me by cooking dinner every night as a kid, so every chance I get to try a new meal I take. On top of that, exploring a new environment is going to be extremely exciting. Living in New York City I only see tall buildings and man made parks, which is cool don’t get me wrong, but having the opportunity to see a real landscape is going to be a nice change!

What are you most nervous about are studying abroad?
My excitement really overtakes the feelings of nervousness but the language barrier is probably the scariest thing to me. Not being able to read signs or ask for directions is intimidating. Learning the language will come with time, but it’s the initial culture shock and adjustment period that will be the hardest. It’s all going to be a learning experience

What are three goals that you would like to achieve/accomplish while abroad?

1. To engulf myself in the Italian culture and learn what its like to live in a different country
2. To learn how to cook better. I know the basics but having a full kitchen and access to awesome ingredients gives me the perfect opportunity to become an Italian 5 star chef!
3. Relax. City life is extremely stressful & fast paced, so Moving to a European country will be a much-needed temporary lifestyle change. Two years of New York City has me developing stress wrinkles already…