Encounters is a podcast series that captures the personal narratives of first-year students at Notre Dame.
In this episode of Encounters, host Sophia Torcelino sits down with Gino Santini to discuss his journey of overcoming initial feelings of loneliness and discovering a sense of belonging at Notre Dame.
Gino, a sophomore at Notre Dame, candidly shares that when he first arrived on campus, he felt a sense of loneliness and struggled to connect with his peers. As a new student, the transition to college life was challenging, and he found it difficult to step out of his comfort zone and make meaningful connections. However, Gino did not let these initial feelings of isolation define his Notre Dame experience. Through his involvement and willingness to step out of his comfort zone, Gino gradually found his place within the Notre Dame community. He shares how he discovered a sense of belonging, surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared his interests and values.