Christina Giordano (CAS/CFA ’16) has had a crazy year: she transferred to BU from Saint Joseph’s University, which was really close to her hometown in Pennsylvania. Besides trying to adjust to being far from home in a new city and a new school, Christina started to feel like her current major wasn’t really right for her. Understandably nervous to add another new thing to her plate, she wasn’t sure if she was stuck in a major she didn’t really love anymore. She finished her first semester as an International Relations major but when second semester came, she knew it was time for a change, and she was brave enough to follow through with it. Now, she’s happier than ever and is ready to help any and all collegiettes here at BU who are feeling stuck and aren’t sure how, when, or where to finally study something they really love!
Tell me a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, where you transferred from, what you previously were studying there, and then what you were previously studying here at BU
I’m from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, right outside of Philadelphia. As a freshman, I began my college career at one of Philly’s “Big Five” at Saint Joseph’s University. While at Saint Joe’s, I was unsure of what I wanted to study, so I carried through the year as undecided, allowing me to explore a range of interests.
Why did you end up transferring to BU and how was the transferring process? Were you really nervous to move from a school so close to home to somewhere much further away?
When I started my freshmen year of university, I went in undecided with the intention of having an open mind regarding my correct career path. However, during my second semester, I found myself deeply thinking of what I’m best at—helping people. Humanitarian aid was my center of focus. Humanitarian aid not only excited me, but intrigued me, because I knew it was associated with the broader spectrum of International Relations. The International Relations Department, however, was limited at my university. By transferring, I wanted to increase my opportunities and expand my knowledge in everything the field of International Relations had to offer.
I gained important friendships and I learned from accomplished professors and advisors. Nevertheless, I needed to grow. When I made my decision to attend Saint Joe’s, it was an easy choice because the college felt familiar. By the time freshmen year drew to an end, I realized I needed to expand my college experience beyond what felt comfortable.
Transferring was slightly stressful, to say the least. However, from that demanding experience came a beautiful blessing, which was my acceptance to BU. I wouldn’t say I was nervous to leave home. I was definitely excited to start a new chapter in my life.
Once you came to BU, when did you start to think IR wasn’t for you?
During high school, art was always where I felt like I was home. I rigorously studied and practiced art and art history, eventually successfully passing AP Studio Art my senior year. As my semester at BU continued, I kept feeling like a piece of me was missing. The only thing that made me feel whole again was art. I slowly realized IR was not fulfilling my needs.
So what is your major now?
I’m currently studying art.
Were you nervous to switch gears so drastically and to a major many people don’t understand/appreciate?
I’d rather regret the things I have done, than the things I haven’t done. It was, and still is scary at times, but sometimes the hardest thing to face is yourself. Accepting that I was unhappy, and needed to make a change was the best realization I’ve ever recognized. I think I lost myself in fear of failing myself, not others. Dealing with others’ lack of appreciation for art was never the problem.
What/who finally helped you decide switching was definitely the right move for you? Were there specific classes you took that made you realize you liked art better than IR?
I used to believe destiny played a part in everyone’s lives. Meaning, everyone’s lives would play out the way they were intended. However, switching majors made me realize, I am the one who has the power to direct my life. It didn’t matter how many people told me what I was doing was right, or how many people told me what I was doing wrong. In the end, I was the one who would be living my life. No one helped me change my life except myself. I made the change. Sometimes good things fall apart, so better things can fall together.
I think a lot of times people feel stuck in a major they thought they loved, but have since started to change their minds. What advice would you give to other girls here at BU in that situation, and how easy is changing to something you really love?
If you really and truly love something, no matter how hard the journey is, you’ll persevere any obstacles. Nothing in life is given to you without a bit of work. Dreams won’t work, unless you work. My advice is to be the person your future self would be proud of because if you are unhappy now, think of how you will be in the future.
What do you hope to do in the future with your major and how happy are you now that you made the switch?
I finally feel a sense of belonging. Tom Petty has a quote, “You belong somewhere you feel free,” and I do. I finally feel free. I have a few outlets of interest regarding art, so I haven’t quite settled on one thing yet. One of the things that attracted me most to IR was the aspect of international traveling, which I can still do with an art major. I also want people to know, you don’t have to give up other dreams because you’ve changed majors. Humanitarian aid and philanthropic pursuits continue to remain massive parts of my life, and I refuse to let those dreams go. In my case, I can use art to aid in my other dreams.