Life of a Johnnie Abroad
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Do you want to study abroad but don’t know what to expect? Look no further! Immerse yourself in “The Life of a Johnnie – Abroad”
Kevin DeCristoforo '26TCB Travel Vlog
Kevin DeCristoforo, a junior at St. John's University, is a finance major at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business with a passion for adventure and storytelling. Originally from West Hempstead, Long Island, Kevin is currently enrolled in the Western Europe Semester program, spending the semester exploring Ireland, France, and Rome.
An aspiring content creator, Kevin will document his experiences abroad through weekly vlogs, capturing the beauty of each destination and sharing his journey with the St. John’s community. When he’s not traveling the globe, Kevin loves exploring New York City, discovering hidden gems, and showcasing all the city has to offer through his videos.
Follow Kevin’s journey as he combines his love for travel and creativity to bring the world closer to home!
Best Friends Reunited in Paris!
Hey everyone! I’m Kevin, a college student studying abroad, and today I’m introducing you to my very special friend, Armaan!
A Year Ago…
Armaan swore that if I studied abroad for a semester, he would fly out to visit me. I didn’t think he was serious… but here he is, flying all the way from Miami to Paris just to spend a week with me!
How We Spent the Week:
- French Pastries & Espresso – Started with a lavish indulgence in some of the best French pastries and espresso… which set us back $40 coffee
- Exploring Paris & St. John’s Campus – Showed Armaan around the college campus, introduced him to my student friends, and wandered through the city
- Parisian Night Views – After dinner, we crashed at his place, which had stunning views of Paris
- Morning Productivity & Adventure – Went for a run to the top of Sacré-Cœur (totally worth it for the views!), then split up to do our own academic workbooks
- Food & Jazz Night – Spent the next day trying different foods, exploring Paris, and ending the night with a live jazz performance
Studying abroad is not just about academic experiences—it’s about student life, friendships, and personal growth. Having Armaan here made this journey even more special!
A Day in My Life Studying Abroad in Paris!
Hey everyone! I’m Kevin, a college student studying abroad. Today, I’m giving you a real look into my daily routine as I balance academics, student life, and exploring Paris!
Here’s how my day went:
- Early Start & College Classes – I woke up, got ready, and headed to campus for my metaphysics class
- Morning Fuel – I made myself some fresh orange juice before class
- Café Stop – Grabbed a quick bite and an espresso before heading back to campus
- Academic Work – Spent some time in the computer lab, working on coursework
- College Life & Chores – I got back home and decided it was finally time to get laundry done
- Relax & Recharge – Watched the sunset sunrise, touched some grass seedlings, and took a moment to unwind
- Exploring Paris – At 7 P.M., I went out with friends for a food hunt, then rode my bike through the city to take in the Paris nightlife
Studying abroad isn’t just about academic growth—it’s about building lifelong memories, meeting new people, and even thinking about future career opportunities. I’m loving every moment of this journey!
From Ireland to Paris! | Study Abroad Adventure
Hey everyone! I’m Kevin, a college student studying abroad, and after 5 amazing weeks in Ireland, it’s time for the next chapter—Paris!
Here’s how my day went:
- Packing & Academic Work – I had to finish packing AND give my final theology class presentation on Gregory the Great
- Travel Time – We boarded our flight, and just a few hours later, we arrived at St. John’s University Paris campus!
- First Impressions – Took a shuttle through the city, casually passing by some of Paris’s most famous sights
- Campus Welcome – Arrived at the college campus, where they had food waiting for us (always a win!)
Studying abroad is an incredible experience. It allows students to balance academic growth, student life, and career opportunities while exploring new cultures. I'm excited to share more from Paris—stay tuned for updates!
3 Things to AVOID in Ireland! (Totally Not Serious)
Hey everyone! I’m Kevin, a college student studying abroad, and today I’m sharing 3 things you should definitely AVOID in Ireland… or maybe not?
What to "Stay Away" From in Ireland:
- Dublin – The capital city is very lively, with so many people walking around. If you don't like exciting places, definitely stay away!
- Spice Bag & Detroit-Style Pizza – These foods are way too delicious. If you don’t want to get hooked, don’t even try them!
- Cliffs of Moher – The views here are too stunning to even process. If you don’t want to spend your whole day taking photos, avoid this place at all costs!
- Limerick – There’s “nothing” to do here… except for an epic escape room, an amazing weekend milk market, and meeting the nicest people ever. Sounds awful, right?
As a college student, studying abroad is all about embracing new experiences, but be warned—Ireland might just steal your heart!
Hey everyone! I’m Kevin, a college student studying abroad, and today I’m taking you through a day in my life as an international student balancing academics, career growth, and student life!
Here’s what my day looked like:
- 9 A.M. – Class Time! Got ready and picked out a warm outfit for my morning theology lecture
- Academic Focus: Read the Bible and engaged in some deep discussions in class
- City Walk and Coffee Break: Took a stroll through the city and sat at Starbucks for some work
- Bonding with College Friends: Hung out with classmates and decided to test our teamwork at an Escape Room
- Dinner to End the Day: Wrapped up the night with a great meal and even better company
Studying abroad isn’t just about academics—it’s about embracing new experiences, building friendships, and preparing for future career opportunities.
I’m excited to share more of my college journey with you all!
Hey everyone! I’m Kevin, a college student studying abroad halfway across the world, and today I’m putting New York’s iconic Bacon, Egg & Cheese to the ultimate test against a Full Irish Breakfast!
Here’s what went down:
- Picked up some groceries and made my own NY-style Bacon, Egg & Cheese
- Ordered a traditional Full Irish Breakfast to compare
- The Irish breakfast came with beans, bacon, hash browns, eggs, mushrooms, sausages & toast
- Verdict? Hash browns lacked crunch, sausages were a bit bland (needed seasoning), BUT… beans & toast? Surprisingly good!
- Final decision? Sorry, Ireland… but New York wins this one!
Being a college student abroad really makes you appreciate home—even the food! But I’m loving this experience and can’t wait to share more of my campus life and student adventures with you.
The Suite Life of a Johnnie
Hey everyone! Kevin here, and I’m studying abroad halfway across the world—here’s what my first few days have been like! mortar_board
Day 1: Landed, took a cab to the college dorm, and was pleasantly surprised to find we had our own rooms! It was a chill day of meeting new people and settling in. house_with_garden
Day 2: Explored the college, went over safety essentials, and even tried hurling, Ireland’s most famous sport! 🏑
Day 3: Took a trip to the Cliffs of Moher, which had stunning views, followed by a visit to a local goat cheese farm. I ended the day getting to know my group better. sunrise_over_mountainsgoat
Day 4: Wrapped up the trip with a visit to St. John’s Castle—such a cool place to explore! european_castle
This has been an incredible start to my study-abroad journey. Stay tuned for my weekend quest—more adventures are just around the corner!
The Suite Life of a Johnnie
Big Day: My Journey Begins!
Hey there! I’m Kevin, a junior and a finance major at St. John’s University, Queens, New York. In this episode, I am taking a quick trip to the college campus, to tie up some loose ends before heading off to study abroad. Here’s how it went down:
- Packed up some last-minute branded Johnnie T-shirts
- Met up with a few friends for a round of goodbyes wave
- Made it through TSA and officially started the adventure!
Stay tuned for more updates as I explore this exciting chapter of my life!
Meet Kevin.
Hey there! I’m Kevin, a junior finance major at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. I have some exciting news to share!
After months of saving, I’ve earned $10,000, which will help me kickstart my dream of studying abroad next semester.
Over the next four months, I’ll be documenting my life as a college student living and learning overseas. From navigating new cultures to sharing tips about studying abroad, this is going to be an unforgettable journey—and I want you to join me!
Julia Schwan ‘17CPS Travel Vlog
Follow Julia Schwan ‘17CPS, '19MBA as she takes us behind the scenes of her adventures in Italy. From her studies in Rome to her trek through ancient coliseums and her travels to the Amalfi Coast; Julia plunges you, her fellow Johnnie, into the European culture. And she still finds time to participate in “Retake Roma,” a service opportunity for students to beautify the streets of Rome. Originally from Brazil, Julia was recruited by St. John’s for Track and Field, where she was selected as a member of the BIG EAST All-Academic Team and earned ALL-BIG EAST Indoor Team Honors.
“Studying abroad meant gaining self-confidence and knowing that I can handle difficult situations by myself… It meant appreciating things I didn’t know before.” In the final episode of Life of a Johnny – Abroad, Julia reflects on her study abroad experience and what it means to her, both professionally and personally. Watch as she says arrivederci to her temporary home in Rome.
Don't forget to check back for a new update from Julia about our international campuses and global presence. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for even more content.
In this episode, Julia takes a visit to the Vatican to join the Papal audience, which is a Catholic gathering for the weekly address from Pope Francis and his cardinals, who bless the crowd. The 90-minute event is typically held on Wednesday mornings in St. Peter’s Square. Watch as Julia talks about her experience.
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Pack your bags! We're going to Florence with Julia, Derek, and Maya in this edition of Life of a Johnny - Abroad.
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One word to describe the Study Abroad experience - Spectacular! This week Julia and her classmate Anna take over Tuscany. This is the Life of a Johnny - Abroad!
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Julia also interviews her classmate Derek Cooper about his study abroad experience - Vogue style! Will they get through all 73 questions? See for yourself!
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Calling all chocolate lovers! See what decadent desserts Julia came across at the Eurochocolate Fest in Perugia, Italy. This is the Life of a #JohnnyAbroad.
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This week, Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph. D., President of St. John's University, visits the Rome Campus for an interview with EWTN News Nightly. Julia gives us a behind-the-scenes look at all the action, including her very own interview with the Catholic news channel. This is the life of a Johnny!
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In this edition of Life of A Johnny - Abroad, Julia and her friends take you to Amsterdam. After two days of rain, the sky opens up and the group enjoys a beautiful day in the sun. Plus, check out the interesting things Julia learned in Italy before traveling to Amsterdam.
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Things I've Learned
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Ever wondered what class is like in Rome and what our Johnnies do during the day? In this edition of #JohnnyAbroad, Julia gives you a taste of student life at our Rome Campus. Plus, she takes you along as her global class participates in Retake Roma - a service project for volunteers seeking to beautify the streets of Italy. This is the Life of a Johnny - Abroad.
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Retake Roma
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Things I've Learned
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Who says your study abroad experience has to be all work? With the St. John's Global Studies program, there's plenty of room to have fun too. This week, Julia and her #SJUAbroad classmates take you to the Almafi Coast - a beautiful stretch of coastline along the southern edge of Italy's Sorrentine Peninsula. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride - or hike in this case...
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Things I've Learned
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This week, Julia takes you inside our beautiful Rome campus! The campus, which the University established in 1995, combines the unique cultural resources of a great European capital with the world-class courses and faculty of St. John’s. The campus is centrally located in Rome’s Prati district, close to the Vatican and other historic sites. As a bonus, Julia takes you into the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Plus, find out what she learned about the streets of Rome in her weekly tips video. This is the Life of a Johnny - Abroad!
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Things I've Learned
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Bonus Clip
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