Name: Jian Manganti
Year: Sophomore
Majors: Business and Psychology
Hometown: York, PA
I met Jian last year; we lived on the same floor in Tower A (pent house!) and quickly became close friends. We went to the activities fair together this year and both decided to check out Her Campus, which has made us even better friends. Jian is the most sarcastic, strong-willed, and opinionated person I know, but she uses those aspects of her personality to encourage those around her to become the best versions of themselves.
Her Campus: What is your favorite thing about Pitt?
Jian: My favorite thing about Pitt is probably the location, I think, because there are a lot of opportunities in the city. I really like how we do have a campus feel, but also if you step outside of Oakland you are in the city, basically, and I really like how we have that mix.
HC: I like how we have the “best of both worlds” thing, too. So, what activities are you involved in, on or off campus?
JM: Besides Her Campus (laughing). Well, I’m really involved on campus with Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. I talk about it all the time to people who aren’t in it.
HC: I can vouch for that (laughs).
JM: I love it so much! I rushed and pledged spring semester of my freshman year, which was last year, and it really helped me become more social and open up to people. And it also helped me, like, develop my leadership skills because this year I was more confident in taking a minor leadership position just as a start. And I also decided to join a committee just to try it out, and I really enjoy doing all of the service that we do. I’ve decided to go over my requirements because it’s fun to volunteer!
HC: Volunteering is good for the heart. So can you describe your perfect date?
JM: Um, my perfect date would be just – I’m super boring – just watching a funny comedy show that I personally find funny. Like my boyfriend and I both like dark comedies and people who make terrible jokes, as in borderline offensive, or satire. And I just like watching that with him and eating food and just chilling.
HC: That sounds like a good date to me!
JM: Yeah, I’m not into anything super fancy. I’m really low-key.
HC: Where is your favorite place to eat off campus?
JM: Hmm . . . I have to eat more off campus. Well, I always love Fuel and Fuddle, because it’s just easy, and I love Late Night and how cheap it is. But also Burgatory because they have amazing milkshakes.
HC: I have not been there yet. Like, everyone has been talking about it!
JM: (gasps) It’s sooo good! Or Cheesecake Factory, obviously! That one’s a given, because who doesn’t love cheesecake?
HC: Definitely, that place is amazing! So, who is your favorite singer or band?
JM: Uh, that’s hard. It changes from time to time, but right now I really like Sufjan Stevens. He’s a folk singer. And I also really like the Head and the Heart right now, or any sort of folk, alternative, acoustic-type band because I think it’s really relaxing and really easy to listen to, especially since I get stressed out a lot.
HC: That makes sense. What’s the last movie you watched?
JM: Oh, crap. What did I watch, what did I watch, what did I watch? I wanna say The Proposal. Or Bridesmaids, cause it was on TV. I’m gonna say The Proposal, yeah. That’s not that interesting.
HC: I’ve never seen that movie.
JM: That was the first time I’ve seen The Proposal, too, and it was funnier than I expected it to be. It’s a good story, I like it. The acting was good.
HC: Well, that’s always good for a movie. What is the first thing you notice in a person?
JM: If they make eye contact with me. That’s the first thing, because I like knowing that a person is paying attention to me and not nervous around me, but I get that my eye contact could make them nervous. But I just want them to know that I’m paying attention to what they’re saying. And I try to listen as well as I can, even if it’s the most boring story I’ve ever heard. You can include that!
HC: (Laughing) Okay! What is your favorite animal?
JM: I’m really boring, I like dogs and cats, because I trust those as pets and everything else is kind of gross. Like I don’t like amphibians, or fish, as pets, cause fish are boring.
HC: Well, like, not just as a pet, what animals?
JM: Well, I don’t know; I appreciate wild animals, but I don’t enjoy looking at them, I guess?
HC: So you don’t like the zoo?
JM: I do like the zoo! I like learning about wild animals, but I just don’t think it’s worth having a favorite animal that you’re not gonna have as a pet. Unpopular opinion!
HC: Okay . . . If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
JM: I would backpack through Europe because I’ve never been to Europe. I’ve only been to Canada and the Philippines. I mean, those are two very different places, obviously, but like I’ve never been to Europe or the continent of Africa, but I have been to Asia. So, I mean there’s still the rest of Asia to explore, but I’d much rather visit Europe or Africa because it’s something that’s not close to where my heritage or where I’m from, and that means I can experience like, completely different things there.
Well, that’s Jian for you! She may be taken, but she’s a great friend, and if she considers you to be hers, then you’re one of the luckiest people in this world.
Photo Credit: All photos provided by Cutie.