Better Than It Sounds: Meet Student Nicole Di Maria
Hailing from Sicily, student Nicole Di Maria is pursuing a B.A. in International Affairs with a minor in Legal Studies. She is President of the JCU International Relations Society and Secretary of The Matthew, JCU’s student-run newspaper.
What brought you to JCU and made you decide to pursue a B.A. in International Affairs with a minor in Legal Studies?
The multicultural aspect of JCU is what attracted me the most. When my parents told me about the possibility of studying in Rome, I was extremely excited! The active student life, the various majors and minors, and the chance to meet new people, were just some of the things I immediately loved about JCU. I chose to pursue a B.A. in International Affairs because JCU is the best environment to study geopolitics. There are so many people of different nationalities to talk to, exchange ideas with, and learn from every day.
You are the President of the International Relations Society at JCU. What projects/initiatives are you currently working on?
It is amazing to be part of the International Relations Society board because I have the chance to interact with my colleagues about different projects and political topics. We are currently working on several initiatives with faculty in our department, such as lectures and projects with external guests and outside institutions. The International Relations Society hopes to bring back the “Pizza and Politics” series, where our club members are invited to discuss current geopolitical issues while enjoying lunch, dinner, or aperitivo.
You are also Secretary of The Matthew. How have these extracurricular activities impacted your experience at JCU?
The extracurricular activities at JCU are extremely important for me because they have enriched my experience here. The International Relations Society and The Matthew have allowed me to get to know more people from different departments and expand my knowledge by attending events and conferences regularly.
What would you say to a prospective student who might be considering studying at JCU?
It is even better than it sounds! The years I am spending at JCU are fun, fast-paced, and educational. Rome is a rich and diverse cultural center, perfect for understanding the dynamism of a big city and a great starting point for traveling around the world! JCU offers great academic programs, fun activities, mental health counseling, and an extremely supportive community.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future involve applying for a master’s program in Northern Europe, then working in the field of research or policy-making and hopefully playing a role in actually making the world a better place.
