As a junior majoring in Financial Economics, Alessandro Sanchez has immersed himself fully in the Seton Hill experience. He’s a member of the Honors Program, serves as a mentor, and takes on leadership roles as a Grant Scholar, Student Ambassador, and FCA leader. His involvement on the Men’s Soccer team has strengthened his teamwork and discipline, while his work-study in Institutional Advancement and tutoring in Italian have helped him build professional and interpersonal skills. “I originally came to Seton Hill for soccer,” Alessandro reflected, “but over time I realized God had opened up so many other doors for me here.”

“What really stands out to me is how resourceful Seton Hill is. It’s a place where professors, programs, and opportunities all work together to help students succeed,” he said. “[Seton Hill has] given me the tools and the community to pursue my long-term goals of going to law school and eventually working internationally,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez’s passion for languages and cultures is a central part of his college journey. Fluent in English and Spanish and currently studying Italian and French, he finds that each language gives him a new way of seeing the world. “Learning a language isn’t just about grammar or vocabulary—it changes the way you think, how you approach problems, and even how you express yourself,” he explained. His language studies are deeply tied to his broader goal of understanding and connecting with people across cultures, something he practices daily through his involvement in language clubs and tutoring.

A defining moment in Sanchez’s education was his semester abroad in Córdoba, Spain. Immersed in Spanish both academically and socially, he took law and economics courses, completed a law internship at the city courthouse, and observed trials in nearly every judicial sector. He was able to deepen his appreciation for Spanish life through adapting cultural norms. He mentioned enjoying the tradition of long conversations after meals, referred to as ‘La sobremesa’.

Sanchez described the experience as “one of the most transformative experiences of my life.”

Sanchez described the experience as “one of the most transformative experiences of my life,” saying it expanded his worldview and reinforced his desire to work internationally. “What really stands out to me is how resourceful Seton Hill is. It’s a place where professors, programs, and opportunities all work together to help students succeed,” he said. “[Seton Hill has] given me the tools and the community to pursue my long-term goals of going to law school and eventually working internationally,” Sanchez said.

Looking ahead, Sanchez hopes to study abroad again, this time in Parma, Italy. After graduation, his plan is to attend law school and become an estate-planning attorney. Rooted in his faith, he aims “to build a career where I can use my languages, international perspective, academic, professional background, and faith-driven approach to make a tangible difference.” His advice to others considering similar experiences is simple but powerful: “Be bold, speak up, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”