In the short few months that I have spent at Syracuse University I have experienced a varieties of things for the first time. Growing up in a family heavily influenced by the military and then spending my time in the Marine Corps, I never really had to explain the inner workings and duties of service members. Now being at a University in class with 18 year old's who some have never interacted with someone in my experience, it is very enlightening to realize that not everyone is aware of the military lifestyle.

I learned a lot about myself and other communities within Syracuse University as a whole. While I have interacted with different cultures throughout my life I have never been in a situation where I needed to get to know them personally in order to succeed. With such a large international student base at Syracuse University, I got to know the a few different Chinese students and the differences between some of their surprising customs and some of ours that they found strange too.

I was aware ahead of time that Syracuse University was the #1 private university for Veterans in the U.S., but it still surprised me to see how much they truly had to offer. From the certifications through the OVMA to the Hometown Hero recognition at sporting events, Syracuse University truly is the best place for veterans to pursue higher education.

During my first semester at Syracuse University not much has changed but many things have been solidified. I was unsure about my path into the IT industry as well as the Finance industry when I first started, but after exploring both of those majors during this Fall it has made me aware that both are perfect fits for me.

In the years to come I plan to finish out my three degrees and then find the right city in the nation for my family to settle. With my wife pursuing a career in pop culture media and me pursuing a career in finance, the most likely landing point will be New York City.