It’s a Kind of (Movie) Magic: Meet Double Major Student Max Nokes
Max grew up between Seattle, Washington and New Jersey. He’s pursuing a double major in Communications and History, and he is the Vice President of the Film Appreciation Club. He is also Student Government social media manager and Communications department representative.
Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, but I moved to New Jersey when I was 10 – I like to say I am the best of both coasts. From my mother’s side of the family, I’ve inherited my love for travel and music. I’ve been taught that the more I become aware of different cultures, the better. That’s why I’ve always been encouraged by my family to learn as much as possible.
What prompted your decision to study here at JCU?
Growing up near New York City, I was raised to be very independent, so I wanted to test my limits by living with roommates far away from home. It took me a while to adjust, but I think that it was important for me to admit that sometimes, it’s okay to have bad days when you feel like you just can’t fit in. I really appreciate having days where I can go and explore Rome, but it’s also important for me to have a routine I can go back to. I took my freshman year to adjust to all these changes. During this time, I got to meet my people here. By the end of the first year, I was able to happily participate in the student life activities that I love.
I always wanted to be in a place like Rome, which has so much more history than the United States. I love living here and I love the fact that I’m surrounded by history while I’m walking around.
You have prominent roles in Student Government as both Representative of the Communications Department and Social Media Manager. What are the responsibilities that come with these roles?
I started working for Student Government as social media manager last year. I get to represent what the students are doing on campus and promote the many initiatives that JCU offers. It’s really fun because I get to interact with a lot of clubs. We are deeply aware of how important it is to have an active voice on social media platforms, so we encourage people to participate as much as they can.
I’m also the representative for Communications. It’s really fun! It was a bit intimidating at first because the Comm department is very large, but working closely with the professors and being the mediating voice between faculty and students is really fulfilling. Students feel comfortable enough to come to me with their thoughts and requests so that I can share them with the faculty.
You represent the Film Appreciation Club as vice president. What prompted your decision to join the club?
I found out about the Film Appreciation Club thanks to a friend of mine. In my first year in Rome, I was only trying to get settled in and adapt to this new environment, but I’ve found that living in a big city and going to college at the same time is a huge step to take, so joining this club has really made me even happier to be here at school.
Since I’ve become Vice President, I get to work closely with the President, Leonardo Di Franco Cascone, which is really fun. Our main goal is to create more than just a place for people to talk about movies – but a place where everyone can share their opinion, whatever it may be, and where students are encouraged to take up a conversation starting from the movie. We’ve tried to push this aspect of the club, and I think we did it. It’s also another opportunity to interact with the other clubs on campus.
You will be graduating soon from JCU. How would you describe your experience? Would you encourage other potential students to apply?
My experience here, I would say, was hectic in the best way, with a lot of highs and a few lows – but I think that would’ve happened at any college. It’s inevitable to have bad moments because you’re feeling homesick, or the amount of coursework seems overwhelming. At the same time, those moments help you grow as a person, and you actually end up appreciating them in the long run. Now that I’m in my fourth year, I find myself reflecting on how much fun I’ve had here. I’ve never felt this close to people before.
I think people should come to JCU mainly to grow as a person, and to gain a certain level of independence from home. As much as I like American colleges and what they can provide, I believe studying at JCU and living in Rome is overall a better experience: you’re on your own and so it’s up to you to make changes for yourself and enjoy it. Here you can explore brand new cultures and lifestyles, both on an educational and a social level. Italy has a beautiful culture and amazing food, and you can meet so many new people every day – I’m sure I’m going to miss it once I go back to the US. It’s incredibly worth it. And it’s also a great excuse to brag to my friends back home!
What is a class and professor that has had an impact on you and why?
I’d say Professor Peter Sarram and his media studies classes on popular music and mass culture, and TV After TV. All of his classes that I’ve taken have been really impactful, because he doesn’t only give you a general basis of the history of TV, film, and music – he also teaches you a perspective that isn’t primarily Western-based.
What are your plans for the future?
After I graduate from JCU, I will go back to the States, either to Seattle or New Jersey, just to work for a few years. Then I would like to pursue my master’s in Education somewhere, hopefully, at the University of Washington, or at a school on the East Coast, like Boston or Philadelphia, because those are cities that I love.
I would love to work in education, but my dream is to be a filmmaker. I know, they are two very different things. I would love to teach subjects like music, film history, or something like that, either at the high school or college level. But if the filmmaking took off, I would lean into that.
Do you have any advice for prospective students?
Some advice for students who are coming to John Cabot or who are already here: it’s okay to slow down! You don’t have to do everything at once. You don’t want to overwork yourself by participating in everything. My mom said to me once, “You can’t do everything at once, you’ll go crazy!” and she was right. I learned that the hard way. If you have too many extracurricular activities, you might neglect your coursework, and that’s not good. But once you’re able to slow down, you can organize your life in a better way, and you can visualize both your present and your future better.
