Student Spotlight: Mary Napoleon in England
Has anything you've learned in your courses or through the people you've met abroad influenced your career goals? Share a specific lesson, conversation, or connection that opened a new door or shifted your direction.
I have always been interested in a career in law and real estate. My experiences abroad encouraged me to think more globally about this path. On a recent trip to Italy, I stayed in an Airbnb within a residential apartment complex, with the host nearby. Observing this setup made me consider how people can navigate local property regulations and short-term rental markets to create consistent income, especially in high-tourism areas. Building on this, a conversation with a friend about the high cost and limited availability of accommodations along the Amalfi Coast further deepened my thinking about housing demand in international tourist destinations. What began as a lighthearted suggestion, her joking that I should purchase property there, led me to reflect more seriously on the potential of international real estate investment. Altogether, these experiences shifted my perspective by highlighting the intersection of global markets, legal frameworks, and real estate development. I am now especially interested in learning how different countries regulate property ownership, short-term rentals, and foreign investment. Exploring these areas would allow me to combine my interest in law with a more international approach to real estate, potentially opening doors to cross-border legal work in the future.
Share a place you've explored — whether a nearby city, another country, or even a hidden corner of where you're living — that left a real impression on you. What made it stand out?
Visiting Naples left a lasting impression on me, largely because of the strong sense of community I experienced there. Exploring the city felt less like being in a new place and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. People were warm, expressive, and deeply connected with one another. One moment that stood out to me happened on a 40-minute train ride to Pompeii. In the beginning of the ride, a man pulled out a speaker and began karaoke singing classic Italian songs. My initial reaction was shock, so I made eye contact with my friend, hoping he wouldn't do this the whole time. I remember thinking how disruptive it was in such a crowded and confined space. But when I looked around, I noticed that the locals were smiling, clapping, and even singing along. What I saw as an inconvenience, they saw as a moment of shared joy. That experience shifted my perspective. I began to notice similar energy everywhere, in the laughter and music at the beach, in strangers playing games together, and even in small interactions, like joking with a friendly gelato shop owner. There was a sense of openness and connection that made everyday moments feel meaningful. Being in Naples made me reflect on how I engage with others in my own life. It encouraged me to be more present, more open to spontaneous interactions, and more connected to the people around me. What stood out most wasn’t just the place itself, but the way the community was woven into daily life.
How has living and studying in a new country shaped your understanding of what leadership looks like across different cultures? Have you seen it modeled differently than what you're used to?
Living and studying in London has broadened my understanding of leadership by showing me how it can be more collaborative and flexible than I was used to. In the classroom, I observed a more discussion-based approach to leadership. Many professors created space for students to guide conversations, encouraging open dialogue rather than strictly lecturing. This approach demonstrated leadership as facilitation, where guiding others and creating an environment for shared exploration can be just as impactful as directing from the front. Beyond the classroom, I saw leadership expressed through collective action. During my time in London, strikes by Tube employees and teachers highlighted how leadership can emerge from groups advocating for change. Rather than being centered on a single authority figure, leadership in these moments was shared, with individuals pursuing improved working conditions. My internship experience further reinforced these differences. The work environment felt more relaxed and less hierarchical than what I had previously experienced in the United States. Communication with supervisors was more informal, and there was a greater sense of approachability. This showed me that leadership does not always require a rigid structure. Overall, these experiences shifted my perspective on leadership. I came to understand that effective leadership is not defined by a single style but can be shaped by cultural values that foster collaboration, empower group action, and create accessible and flexible workplace dynamics.