From the moment she attended an Admitted Student Day at Marist, Alice Adams felt a genuine connection to the school’s intimate size and student-focused approach. Drawn to a close-knit community where relationships between students and staff mattered, she knew Marist was the right place for her. Now pursuing a double major in Political Science and English, along with a minor in Global Studies and the Social Justice, Law & Ethics pathway, Alice has found an academic path that aligns perfectly with her passions. 

“I also knew I wanted to take a year off school before attending college to work and spend some time traveling. Marist supported this, which communicated to me that the school would support everyone's unique life path” she says. Her first year was especially transformative as she participated in the First Year Florence Experience (FFE), based in Florence, Italy. Studying politics, literature, religion, and more, she expanded her worldview while managing the balance between academic rigor and the rich distractions of living abroad. “FFE taught me discipline and appreciation for both school and the world outside it; it taught me how to view these two things as interconnected, with hard work in the classroom leading to the ability to explore our planet and outside experiences informing academic contributions.” she reflected. 

Returning to Marist after Florence, she deepened her relationships with faculty and staff, especially those involved with the Italy program, reaffirming her sense that Marist truly puts students first. The professors she studied under, were vital to her academic and personal growth, inspiring her to explore a wide range of ideas and perspectives. “While spending one’s first year abroad may appear to some as no more than a way to postpone a serious education, it was for me instrumental in my academic development and taught me immensely more than I may have otherwise learned.”

When asked what advice she would give students considering her path, she emphasized openness and self-reflection. “In politics and global studies, it’s necessary to continuously challenge one’s own perceptions and beliefs,” she said. “The classroom is not a place to defend the beliefs we already hold; it’s a place to learn of other perspectives and build upon our understanding of why we believe what we do.”

She also shared wisdom for English majors: “…It’s not only grammar and it’s not only literature; English is cultural, historical, scientific, psychological, and everything else at once. … This area of study is completely unlimited, but only if you view it as such.” 

Finally, she stressed the value of building relationships with professors. They can offer more than just academic support “Your professors can give valuable insight into your weaknesses and strengths; they can give recommendations for ways to improve your skills outside of class; they can contribute their own life anecdotes and advice to your own journey; and, finally, they’re people too! It’s always nice to make a new friend.”