Name: Jillian DeGrazia
Class: 2019
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Bedford, MA
Her Campus Bentley: What made you decide to transfer to Bentley?
Jillian DeGrazia: I knew that I wanted a more business-focused education and that I wanted to do accounting. I’m from the area and a few of my family members are alumni, so Bentley seemed like the perfect fit due to its location and reputation.
HCB: What are some things that you like to do in your free time?
JD: I have been riding horses since I was six, so any free time I have these days I like to dedicate to that. I also love fashion and shopping, and probably spend too much time and money on clothes and accessories!
HCB: Do you have any hidden talents?
JD: Most of my friends know that I love to cook, and yes, I make the world’s best quesadillas. The most important ingredient is Chihuahua cheese. It’s similar to a blend of mozzarella and cheddar and it’s super melty.
HCB: What are you currently watching on Netflix?
JD: I try not to watch too much Netflix during the semester because it distracts me too much, but recently I have been watching comedy specials because you can’t really binge watch them.
HCB: Is there a motto/idea that you try to live by?
JD: I don’t know of a motto exactly, but I always like to take a step back and look at a situation from many different angles. I don’t like to make rash decisions.
HCB: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
JD: Tuscany
HCB: What’s something that’s on your bucket list?
JD: I would like to track down my family in Italy. We know the villages where they are, but we haven’t made any contact yet.
HCB: How did you first get into horseback riding?
JD: When I was six I was playing with my neighbor and she had to leave to go to her riding lesson. I was really jealous, so my mom sent me with her the next week and I immediately fell in love. I had always loved animals so it was very exciting for me. My parents knew nothing about horses and had no idea what they were getting into.
HCB: What’s your horse’s name?
JD: Mango Bay
HCB: What’s the most challenging aspect of being an equestrian, and what’s the most rewarding?
JD: I’d say the two are closely related. You can spend every day for months or years trying to teach yourself or your horse something new, and it can be so discouraging when you’re just not getting it right. Then one day it will click, and it’s the best feeling in the world. What most people don’t realize is that when you’re riding a horse, both horse and rider are dependent on each other, and the way you hold your body directly impacts how the horse moves theirs. When you’re finally able to “tell” your horse to do something, and they respond, it’s really cool because you can feel a difference in how they move and how slight shifts in your body can dramatically change what the horse does.
HCB: What’s been your best Bentley experience thus far?
JD: Taking a Spring Break embedded class to Italy with Brooke and Caroline was definitely my favorite so far. The content of the class was about fashion, which was perfect for me, and there’s no better place for that than Italy. I got to make some great friends and see three different cities in a new country. I would definitely tell every Bentley student to take a class like this—it’s a great way to travel, since you’re going with a professor who knows exactly what to do in that country and has connections there.
HCB: How will you be spending your Spring Break?
JD: Sadly no traveling for me this year. I’ll be spending the week doing tax returns at my internship.