Gurbani Sian, a first-year student in Government and Politics at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has found her place at St. John’s University after emigrating from Chandigarh, India to the United States over a decade ago. Now living in Clarksburg, Maryland, Sian was drawn to St. John’s by its reputation and encouragement from a neighbor who attended the university.
“I always wanted to study in New York, and the more I got to know about St. John’s, the more intriguing the idea became,” Sian said. “My expectation was that everyone would be welcoming and help to provide opportunities for me to grow in my career plans; also, that I would meet people that I stay friends with for a long time. St. John’s has, in many ways, exceeded my expectations.”
St. John’s University operates as a Catholic and Vincentian institution dedicated to liberal arts education and offers more than 100 undergraduate majors across six schools and colleges on campuses located in Queens and Manhattan as well as international sites (https://www.stjohns.edu/). The university supports multicultural initiatives through various centers and institutes focused on both local and global efforts (https://www.stjohns.edu/).
Sian participates in the University Honors Program with aspirations for a government career focused on policy evaluation. In high school she attended the American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State seminar in Maryland—an experiential civics program whose alumnae include U.S. senators, state legislators, journalists, and authors.
Girls State had a significant impact on Sian’s ambitions: she completed two legislative internships—including one arranged through St. John’s University with U.S. Rep Grace Meng—and drafted legislation concerning H-1B visa amendments during her time at Girls State.
Her interest in government led her to consider joining Student Government Inc., along with other organizations like Mock Trial team; she also serves as a Career Peer for University Career Services.
“I have talked with the leaders of Student Government,” Sian said. “They seem like great people, very welcoming.”
Sian describes her transition into college life positively—she lives in Donovan Hall while managing an honors curriculum known for small class sizes and mentorship opportunities designed for high-achieving students.
“It has been a good experience,” Sian said. “It is great to have mentorship, especially from someone close in age. It provides a valuable connection knowing that students in the program were in the same boat as me—adjusting to a new school and coming into a new environment.”
Outside academics Sian enjoys visiting Manhattan—particularly Broadway theaters—and maintains an interest in Indian classical music and opera performance since childhood.
“I love musicals, I love Broadway,” she said. “I am focused on my future career but I want to keep my hobbies for sure. It is the key to a balanced life.”
Sian expressed enthusiasm about seeing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton: “It seems so captivating,” she said.“I loved the music from Hamilton even in middle school.It is as much a cultural phenomenon as it is a Broadway musical.”
Rev.Brian J.Shanley,O.P.,is president of St.John’s University(https://www.stjohns.edu/), which maintains its affiliation with the Vincentian Community(https://www.stjohns.edu/).
