On September 17th, 1996, Gabrielle DaRonco was born in Bronx, NY. Being fifty percent Puerto Rican, she comes from a family with a strong heritage and was always encouraged to travel. Only having moved twice throughout her elementary years, she currently resides in Hackettstown, NY. As a junior in college, she seeks a degree in Communication. This past semester Gabby decided to take on an amazing life experience by studying abroad in Rome at John Cabot University.
Because of your heritage, how many languages do you speak?
I speak two languages. I am fluent in English, which is my first language, and I’m basically fluent in Spanish.
What motivates you?
My parents motivate me because they have always pushed me to do well and I don’t want to disappoint them or myself. Overall, I would rather do the best that I can because for one, it will make them happy and two, it makes me feel good. It is hard to motivate yourself sometimes but I feel like I just want to be successful and be happy where I end up.
What are your passions in life?
Things that make me happy. I love music and I love to sing. In regards to communication, I love public relations. Over the years, I have become extremely good at talking my way through anything at this point. College has taught me how people manipulate other people and why it works. Now, I can talk myself out of anything and I can write about anything. It has set me up to accomplish so much.
Have you done any internships?
I am currently in the process of applying for internships. For this summer, my mother might get me an internship with her company, Vega Consulting Solutions. The company recruits for people who want to work for major pharmaceutical companies. This summer I would be their marketing intern and would focus on better promoting them over the internet to show the world who they are and what they do. They are always looking for new graduates who majored in IT or computer science.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I would be thirty, so married! Hopefully financially stable in a career that I don’t hate because I know it takes people a long time to find something that they generally like doing. Job-wise, I have always wanted to work for a business or a corporation. Out of the two, I prefer a big corporation. I would love to be their PR person or their marketing manager who gives press releases to promote a good public image for their company.
Why did you choose to study abroad?
When I was a kid, my mom always talked about her study abroad experience in Spain. Basically, she encouraged me to do this because it is something everyone should probably do. I want to receive that worldly experience by broadening my horizons. My end goal was to become more independent and travel.
Why did you choose Rome Instead of Spain?
I originally wanted to go to Spain, but I took too many Spanish courses, which made me over qualified for the program. When my advisor suggested I study abroad in Rome, I agreed to come because I have always wanted to go to Rome. Plus, I love history – I have always been interested in Greek and Roman history. There is just so much to experience here.
What are your favorite subjects here at John Cabot University (JCU)?
My favorite classes are my Communication courses. Currently, I am taking intercultural communication and public speaking. Intercultural communication is a persuasive communication course. They are both extremely interesting.
What do you think of JCU’s campus?
I love Trastevere. In my opinion, it is the best neighborhood in Rome. It contains a mixture of students and locals. JCU has a very scenic campus because you can sit in the courtyard or on the rough of the school and do your work. There are so many places on campus where you can just relax.
Do you enjoy Rome?
I love Rome! My friend and I were just talking about how every place that we go, every country, and every city we see, we just feel so at home when we come back to Rome. My favorite spot is this amazing park called Borghese. Its right above the Spanish steps and its huge! My friends and I went and we just sat on the grass and enjoyed the beautiful weather.
Of all the places you have traveled during your study abroad experience, which one was your favorite location?
Besides Rome, my favorite Italian city was Venice because it was scenic. But for places, it would either be Paris or Barcelona. They were both life changing for me.
Are you ready to go home?
It is bittersweet. There is the comfort of your own bed like your family so I am excited because I obviously miss everyone. However, I know once I leave here, there will be people who I’ll probably never see again.
Do you advise studying abroad?
Yes! Everybody HAS to do it because there is nothing like it. I was a different person four months ago for sure.