JFRC Video Contest Winner!

Creighton University Biology major Gina Drummond won the spring 2014 JFRC video contest. Watch the video here and learn a little about her!

 

 What is your major?

Biology — You really can spend a semester abroad regardless of your major!

 What was your favorite class during your semester at the JFRC?

Italian 101 with Prof Cristiani was easily my favorite class! While learning useful conversational Italian and singing along to classic Italian songs, our class really became a family. 

 What is your favorite gelateria?

With so many great contenders like Fior di Luna, Gelateria del Teatro, and Frigidarum, it’s hard to choose a favorite Roman gelateria. But, the rich flavors of gelato combined with the old ice cream parlor feel of Giolitti made it the one I went out of my way to get.

  Why did you choose the John Felice Rome Center?

After taking a summer class in Rome during high school, I knew I wanted to come back to the Eternal City for a whole semester. The JFRC’s involved student body and long-standing reputation within the city are only a couple of the many reasons I chose Loyola’s program.

 What would you say to someone thinking about studying at the John Felice Rome Center?

Studying abroad is easily the best decision I have ever made. When I first read the quote by Saint Augustine, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page,” I never imagined it would apply to my life. Living abroad will open your mind to other cultures and ways of life. You’ll come to call Rome, a new city filled with new friends, home. Studying at the John Felice Rome Center allowed me to grow not only in my knowledge of the Italian culture, but also as a person in all facets of my life. 

 Did you play calcio? If so, how did you do?

I’ll always be a proud member of team blu navy. While we may not have made it into the playoffs, we definitely had a blast at every game. Forza blu navy! 

 What was it like being one of the only people from Creighton studying at the JFRC? 

The fact that, as a Creighton student, I wouldn’t know a single person at JFRC hadn’t crossed my mind until I was sitting in seat 41A on my flight to Rome. It was hard seeing unfamiliar faces and feeling like a freshman again when I arrived on campus. But after four other girls sat with me in mensa on our second day in Rome, the five of us became inseparable and were known by our Italian class as the “cinque ragazze." After a few weeks at JFRC, every face on campus became familiar. Turns out there are plenty of students who come not knowing anyone else, so don’t let that stop you from studying abroad!

 

 Congratulations Gina!