Meet Psychology Alumna Nicole Girardi
Nicole Girardi, class of 2024, graduated from JCU with a major in Psychology and a minor in Legal Studies. She is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College, in New York.
Tell us about your background. What brought you to JCU?
I am originally from the city of Trento in northern Italy, but I grew up in a small town called Pejo Fonti. After graduating from high school, I wanted to move to the US. I decided to study Criminal Justice and attend Temple University at their campus in Rome. However, after finishing my freshman year, I realized I wasn’t quite ready to move to the US, but I still wanted to continue my studies at an American University. That’s when I found JCU, which felt like the perfect fit for me.
What prompted you to study Psychology?
I started studying at JCU in 2022. I chose Psychology as my major, and Legal Studies as my minor. These are two fields that I have been deeply interested in for years. Psychology fascinates me because it unravels how the brain functions, why we behave the way that we do, and what drives our decision-making processes. At the same time, I was also intrigued by the intersection between psychology and law, and I am grateful that JCU allowed me to learn and expand my knowledge in both fields.
What is a class and/or professor that has had an impact on you and why?
Among the numerous classes I took, one stands out: Psychology and Law taught by Professor Paola Castelli. This class further expanded my deep interest in psychology and legal studies. I must say that I loved every topic we covered, and I loved Professor Castelli’s teaching method. The way she easily presented such complex topics was inspiring. Moreover, she was always available if students had questions and concerns, and she motivated me to do better, as well as reminded me of my strengths. Her support has been invaluable, and I’m thankful to have had the chance to learn from her!
Why did you decide to pursue a Master’s degree at John Jay College?
Professor Castelli’s class had a profound impact on my future. It solidified my decision to pursue a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. The topics we covered in class sparked my curiosity and helped me realize that I wanted to further expand my knowledge of the link between psychology and law. This passion led me to apply to John Jay. With guidance from my JCU professors, who all spoke highly of John Jay, I applied and got accepted. Now I’m in New York, ready to continue my journey exploring this field. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I am excited to see what the future holds.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m still exploring my future career path, but I’m particularly fascinated by topics within forensic psychology, such as eyewitness testimony, interrogation techniques, wrongful convictions, and the role of expert witnesses. In my future career, I hope to work in one of these areas and contribute to improving the criminal justice system.
How was your experience at JCU? Would you recommend it to new prospective students?
I couldn’t be more grateful for my time at JCU. Every aspect of my experience there was amazing, from the lifelong friendships I made to the exceptional professors. JCU offers a diverse range of courses, and the international environment helped me grow both personally and academically. I truly recommend JCU to anyone seeking an American university experience while living in Italy.
For prospective psychology students, I highly recommend exploring the diverse and fascinating range of courses that JCU offers. Take advantage of the Psychology Society and its events. Not only are they interesting and engaging, but they are also a lot of fun! Lastly, don’t hesitate to reach out to your professors with questions or concerns because they are incredibly supportive and always willing to help guide you along the way.
