Meet this summer's Pride Guides: Cristina Vintimilla

Name: Cristina Vintimilla
Hometown: Commack, New York
Major: Journalism
Minors: Business and Design, Spanish & Global Studies

1. Why did you decide on Hofstra?
I always knew about Hofstra University since I lived on Long Island. But, what really caught my attention was their communication school. I'm a Journalism major so I was looking for a school that had the best technology/facilities and would allow me to use them starting freshman year. Hofstra is just that! Also, New York City is only a 30 minute train ride from campus so I knew I would have the opportunity to intern during the school year, not just the summer.

2. What's something most people don't know about Hofstra?
Hofstra's campus is a nationally accredited arboretum. There are more than 12,000 plants and trees right on campus representing more than 625 species and varieties. This means as you walk from class to class you'll spot trees from all over the world like China, Chile, and Japan. It definitely makes walking to class 10x more interesting. Fun fact: the original William Hofstra was a lumberman and made his living by collecting trees. We're keeping that tradition alive!

3. What tip would you give to students visiting campus?
I would say to definitely get to know your admission counselor. Here at Hofstra, you are assigned a counselor depending on where you live. You can ask a Pride Guide for their business card while you're on campus or on our website. This should be your go-to person for any questions that come up after you leave campus.

Summer in Spain: Mehrab's work with the Atlantis Project

Mehrab Ahsan is a junior from New Hyde Park, New York majoring in Biochemistry. He is currently spending 3 weeks in Spain shadowing doctors and learning about a foreign health care system. He gave us an update of how he is spending his time abroad!

Atlantis Project

I'm part of the Atlantis Project and it's basically a program where I'm shadowing doctors in hospitals in Toledo, Spain, watching various surgeries which I wouldn't be able to see in the United States! I get to see how the Spanish healthcare system works, as well as the fact that I'm teaching doctors how to improve their English in biweekly sessions.

Segovia 

Spanish Paella

Streets of Segovia 

Alongside all of that, I've made friends with everyone in my program and have been able to travel around lots of places in Spain like Madrid, Segovia, the ancient Roman city of Spain, and have experienced all the awesome things that the Spanish culture has to offer.

Meet this summer's Pride Guides: Laura Bennett

Name: Laura Bennett

Hometown: Great Neck, New York

Major: Physics and Biochemistry 

Year: Junior

1.  Why did you apply to be a Pride Guide?

I wanted to recreate the great experience I had here at Hofstra when I attended Admitted Students Day.

2.  What is something most people don’t know about you?

I’ve lived in five different countries. China, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei and here!

3.  What is your favorite stop on tour?

I love showing the monkey-puzzle tree!

4.  What advice do you have for incoming students?

Always take advantage of free food. 

Meet this summer's Pride Guides: Jack Saleeby

After students move out of their dorm rooms and travel back home for summer break, there are a few students who stay behind. The summer tour guides are spending their summer working in the Office of Undergraduate Admission. They're here to help you discover Hofstra's campus and share their experiences with you!

Name: Jack Saleeby
Hometown: Southbury, Connecticut
Major: BFA Theater Arts
Year: Senior

1. Why did you apply to be a Pride Guide? 
One of the major reasons why I came to Hofstra was because of my tour guide, Brian Chess. He became my mentor and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.

2. What is your favorite stop on tour? 
I like the student center because I love to talk about food. I would consider myself a Hofstra foodie. 

3. If you could go back to your first year, what would you change?
My first year was so good that if I could go back I would fail all my classes so I could repeat it.

4. If you were a jellybean, what type would you be? 
I would be the flavor grass because I’m fresh and always growing.

By Cristina Vintimilla '17

Meet the Pride Guides: Juliana Spano

Juliana Spano is a sophomore majoring in rhetorical studies and minoring in international affairs and fine arts. She took advantage of Hofstra’s location by taking a course held in New York City during January session, which provides students with an exciting opportunity to study abroad or take courses held outside the typical classroom. Let's hear from Juliana!

Greece's Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Meet the Pride Guides: Rachel Sherman

Rachel is an early childhood/elementary education and linguistics major. She will be student teaching in three different schools during her last undergraduate semester here at Hofstra.

Meet the Pride Guides: Joe Ibraham

Meet Joe Ibraham, a senior journalism major with minors in marketing and graphic design from Massapequa, New York. Find out how a course at Hofstra allowed him to be the art director of a magazine!

Meet the Pride Guides: Caroline Navarra

Meet Pride Guide Caroline Navarra, a sophomore who has already been involved with some great philanthropy work. Check out what she has to say!

Meet the Pride Guides: Cristina Vintimilla

Meet Pride Guide Cristina Vintimilla. She’s a sophomore from Commack, Long Island, majoring in Journalism and minoring in Spanish, Business and Design. She talks about one of the best experiences during her time at Hofstra. Take it away, Cristina!

Meet the Pride Guides: Ashley Mungiguerra

Meet Pride Guide and junior Ashley Mungiguerra, who hails from Dallas, Texas and studies journalism and political science. Let's hear about her decision to come to Hofstra!