Juliette Robinson (SFS’28) is a first year in the School of Foreign Service. She plans to major in international politics and pursue a certificate in international business diplomacy. She conducts research as a Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellow, consults at Georgetown Global Consulting, works for the Center for Social Justice and writes for the Free Speech Project. For fun, she captains the Georgetown Women’s Rugby team and enjoys exploring DC (especially the different food options) with friends.
My junior year of high school was fraught with mini-mental breakdowns. Between an overloaded schedule of classes and extracurricular activities, on top of the looming pressure of college applications, I found myself at a crossroads. I struggled to narrow down my academic interests, uncertain of where my true passions lie.
Every day seemed like an exercise in figuring out who I was and what I wanted to pursue, but the more I thought about it, the more unclear everything became and the further behind I felt. This uncertainty made it even harder to determine which college would be the best fit for me. The thought of applying to schools, let alone considering factors like location, culture or environment, felt almost impossible.
But that all began to change during the summer after my junior year when I was selected as a Girls Nation Senator. This unique and prestigious opportunity took me to DC for the first time, and little did I know, this experience would ultimately catalyze my college decision-making process.
Walking around the National Mall, surrounded by the symbols and processes of American democracy, something clicked. I had never envisioned myself in a political career but as I listened to different speakers, I learned how people could engage without being fully immersed in politics. I realized that within each of my academic interests, my core desire was to learn how to make a meaningful impact. Georgetown, with its strong academics and location in DC, felt like the perfect place to do just that.
After submitting my application, I met with an alumni interviewer, and we had an open dialogue about my interests and how Georgetown could help me achieve my goals. Although the conversation was positive, engaging and affirming, I still wasn’t entirely sure if Georgetown was the right fit for me.
It wasn’t until I attended Georgetown’s Admissions Ambassador Program (GAAP) weekend for admitted students that I truly felt I had found the place where I belonged. Although the campus was stunning, what truly stood out to me wasn’t the beauty of the campus or the attraction of being in DC — it was the people.
Every student I met carried themselves with a sense of purpose. They weren’t just academically driven, they were deeply engaged in the world around them. The conversations I had helped me see that Georgetown wasn’t just a place where I could excel academically, it was a community where I could grow and become a better version of myself.
At the School of Foreign Service (SFS) admitted students’ talk, I learned more about the school’s foundational principles of intellectual curiosity, social justice and service, values that resonated deeply with my own beliefs. While I’m not Catholic, hearing the speakers talk about the Jesuit values of cura personalis (care for the whole person), service to others and the pursuit of social justice struck a chord with me.
I began to envision Georgetown as a place that would not only push me to excel academically but also nurture my growth as a person and a global citizen. As someone with four passports and who has lived in both Hong Kong and Arkansas, the SFS’s commitment to open dialogue and global engagement felt especially meaningful. I realized that at Georgetown, I could fully embrace and pursue these values while challenging myself intellectually. This alignment with Georgetown’s mission was something I hadn’t felt at any other university I visited.
Even after all of these experiences, however, I still wasn’t completely satisfied when I first set foot on campus as a student. I had come to love the idea of Georgetown, but I still had lingering doubts. Was this the place for me? Would I thrive here?
With these questions in mind, starting university felt overwhelming. The transition to Georgetown was a mix of excitement and anxiety, with new faces, expectations and worry about fitting in. However, through a pre-orientation program, First-Year Orientation to Community Involvement (FOCI), I found a community. Not only was I able to engage with the larger DC community through impactful service, but I also built deep connections with people who have become some of my closest friends. I’ll never forget our midnight Insomnia Cookie runs and talking until 4 a.m., despite knowing we had to wake up for a full day of volunteering in just a couple of hours.
After school started, I was able to join clubs and activities that allowed me to connect with a wide range of people on campus. One of the most rewarding experiences has been captaining the Georgetown Women’s Rugby team, where I have found an incredible community of strong, driven and supportive teammates. No matter which club you choose, I’m confident you’ll find your own home here as well.
Through these experiences, I came to understand that Georgetown’s community was not just about academics or prestige, it was about finding people who genuinely care about each other’s growth and success. Hoyas support each other in ways that feel natural and authentic. From late-night conversations to moments of encouragement during stressful times, Georgetown is more than just a place to study: it is a place where one can truly grow as a person. The values of service, community and intellectual curiosity that I admired so much during my visits had found their way into every aspect of my life here.
Now, I know I chose the right home. Georgetown has challenged me intellectually, nurtured my values and given me a community that supports me in ways I never expected. It’s more than a college — it’s where I’m beginning to become the person I am meant to be. Looking back on all the doubts and uncertainty, I realize now that everything turned out alright.
