<p><span class="p-body">A native of Brooklyn, Giavanni Espinal—known to his friends as Gio—possesses a rich heritage with Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Italian roots, and an equally rich appreciation for crochet, musical theater, and gardening. Performative activities hold a particularly special place in Espinal's heart, sparked by his time starring in high school theater productions.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">It is no wonder then, that NYU's urban campus was a significant factor in Espinal's college decision. Drawn to the University’s incorporation of the whole city—from theater to business, 42nd street to West 4th—this environment helps Espinal feel connected to the academic community and engaged with the broader world. Similarly, he describes his experience at NYU’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) as an enriching journey of self-discovery: “In college I have begun to understand myself better. Balancing course work, internships and social life has allowed me to take charge in my own life in a way that I enjoy.” Balancing these opportunities and priorities also helps Espinal develop essential skills in time management, organization, and adaptability. As Espinal explains, “each class at SPS has a unique environment with different professors that each take a different approach to teaching. The differentiation between every course taught me how to adapt as a student and navigate the work.” </span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Espinal attributes his development, fulfillment, and academic success in part to the “strong sense of community and shared achievement” across the SPS Career Pathways Bridge Program. A notable highlight of his Bridge experience was the concluding First Year Seminar, which celebrated students' accomplishments. Espinal shared how “It warmed my heart to see so much effort put into celebrating me and my peers as well as the hard work we put into our courses and lives. It was such a wholesome moment of community and perseverance.”</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Espinal looks forward to participating in a Global Field Intensive (GFI) course in Jamaica this summer, where he’ll study the impact of tourism on the local environment and community. He anticipates a transformative experience, traveling by plane for the first time, exploring completely new academic concepts, gaining exposure to diverse cultures, and sharing the experience with peers. Putting himself out there to try new things is what Gio does best, which is why he emphasizes the importance of getting involved on campus, joining clubs and participating in campus activities, noting that “Each event you miss could be missing the chance to make a life-time friend, discover your new biggest passion, or try new foods.”</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Post-graduation, Espinal&nbsp;envisions a career that combines entertainment and business to bring artistic concepts to life. He wants to lead in, “industries that project human creativity and imagination” in order to “achieve as much as possible, whether that means making a positive impact on huge amounts of the population, or putting money I earn towards good causes.”</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">For incoming NYU SPS Bridge Students, Espinal offers the following pieces of advice:</span></p> <ol class="p-list"> <li><span class="p-body">If you’re ever feeling like things are impossible or you can’t do something, think about how badly you want to achieve it. Saying you aren’t capable of something that you truly want is very dangerous because you are limiting yourself. Starting is the hardest part, but when you achieve your goal, you’ll thank yourself for never giving up!<br> <br> </span></li> <li><span class="p-body">Recognize yourself once in a while and really pat yourself on the back for the hard work you do.</span></li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p>