Double the Possibilities for this 2025 Grad

• Hometown: Honeoye Falls, NY
   
• Program of Study: Applied Modern Language, Japanese and International and Global Studies double major with minors in language science and geographic information systems
   
• Study Abroad: RIT Kosovo and Doshisha University Semester Abroad, Japan
   
• Campus and Community Involvement: Honors program participant, Student Advisory Board member, ICP Program Coordinator at the English Language Center, COLA Peer Navigator, and a Student Note Taker
   
• Awards and Honors: Henry and Mary Kearse Writing Award, Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Award 2025, Gilman Scholarship (for study, intern or work abroad)​​, Dean’s List every semester
   
• After Graduation Plans: Enrolling in grad school at American University

Among the most impactful was her time studying abroad, especially through RIT Kosovo. "That was a really unique experience," she says. "It was transformative, academically, personally, and socially. I learned so much from experts in their fields." 

One of her most cherished memories on this trip was an outing with professors and peers near the end of the Kosovo program. “It was such a special moment. We sat around and shared what the experience meant to us. That trip, including the five-country tour through Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, bonded us all together in unforgettable ways." 

Her academic path began with a curiosity for languages, sparked by a desire to emulate the multilingual character Dr. Brennan from the TV show Bones. “My school only offered French and Spanish, and I was already taking Spanish,” she explains. “So I tried Mandarin through independent study… it didn’t click. Then I tried Japanese, and that was it. I was hooked.” 

RIT, her top college choice since freshman year of high school, allowed her to combine this passion with a global perspective through a double major in Japanese and International and Global Studies. She later added minors and immersions, including one inspired by an introductory mapping course she took for honors credit. "I realized I loved it, and thanks to the flexibility of my advisors, I was able to make it count for both my major and a minor."

Throughout her journey, Adrienne credits her success to supportive faculty and advisors. “There’s no way I could have done a double major, double minor, and studied abroad twice without their help. They really worked with me to make everything possible.” When asked what advice she’d give her freshman self, she doesn’t hesitate: “Don’t be afraid to try new things. It won’t turn out as bad as you think. Taking the leap, whether to Kosovo, Japan, or just a difficult class, shaped who I am. I still think of the opportunities I passed up because I was hesitant, and I’d tell myself not to hesitate.”

Her time at a technical university as a liberal arts student was anything but limiting. “People ask why I chose a tech school for liberal arts, but I think RIT gave me the best of both worlds. I gained hard skills like tech literacy alongside my soft skills in language and communication. I feel prepared for anything.” 

Additionally, Adrienne’s study abroad and research experiences further enriched her path. In Kosovo, she built lasting friendships and professional relationships, some of which led to grad school recommendations and job opportunities. “Those connections are priceless,” she says. “And I can’t wait to reconnect with everyone when I return.”

— Reported and photographed by Hailey Fowler (’25BS), double major journalism and advertising and public relations BS, College of Liberal Arts Student Reporter