Jacqueline Fernandes (Preferred Name: Jackie)
Jacqueline Fernandes (Preferred Name: Jackie) (she/her) - Stanford in New York
Major: Communication
College year while abroad: Spring 2024
About the photo: Dinner after the whole program went to a Yankees game
Contact
Email: jro26@stanford.edu or click here to schedule an appointment.
Q&As
Why did you choose to study in New York?
I studied abroad the Spring quarter of my Sophomore year, and I was craving a change of scenery, something new to explore. This program offered the perfect opportunity to live in a big, exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, city with a built in support system. It offered structure to experience many different aspects of the city that I wouldn’t have known to do if I went alone. New York offers so much that it's sometimes hard to know where to start, but when you are a part of this program, you have direction and stability to explore it meaningfully.
How did studying away support your academic growth?
In New York, the academic and professional melded. My favorite class involved hearing from different UN employees each week. We learned about the projects they were working on, and about the intricacies of the UN as an international institution. While learning about different global issues, we were also exposed to different career paths. For my final project I interviewed a speech writer for a UN ambassador, and decided to explore speech writing. This led me to take classes that focused on developing writing and narrative skills.
What did you learn about yourself during your study away experience, especially through any challenges or major cultural adjustments?
I learned about what kind of environment and pace of work I want right out of college. In comparison to my class about the UN, where everyone’s work was fast paced and high pressure, I felt like my market research internship lacked urgency. Being exposed to both types of work environments, I realized that I want to work in an industry that requires quick thinking and adaptability. Learning about different careers in class, while also working a job of my own, I was able to really evaluate the kind of work I want to do in the future.
Briefly describe a typical day and your favorite part of daily life in your program location.
I started most days by getting ready for my internship and walking to the subway station. After arriving at the office and working for a few hours, I would either get lunch with a coworker, or we would eat all together at the office. When work finished around 5pm, I would slowly make my way down Broadway to the Stanford Center. This walk was my favorite part of the day. I tried to walk as much as I could in New York, exploring unexpected parts of the city, and stopping whenever I felt like it to read in a sunny park.
If applicable, how did participating in an internship, volunteership or experiential-based project help you grow professionally? What specific skills did you gain?
In my internship, I also learned research and analytical skills that have already served me in professional work. I ran a market research project largely on my own, analyzing survey results and designing customer interviews. Overall, I gained knowledge into how research is done at a company, as opposed to an academic institution. I learned how to present my findings in the context of a larger picture, as opposed to the individual context of a class.
What was the most essential item you took with you on the program?
Comfortable shoes (So I could walk everywhere).
What advice would you give students who are considering studying away?
Consider program focus. Whether you want to focus on language and culture, or an internship. I have done both of these, studying first in New York, then in Berlin. I came away with very different insights and perspectives based on what I found as the purpose of each program. New York focused on more personal and professional development, having independence in a big city and working a corporate job for the first time. Berlin focused on language and cultural exploration. My studies focused on the German language and German/Berlin history.