Bulldog Bites

News and Views from the University of Redlands

Communication sciences major cultivates community at Redlands and abroad

Nicole Quirante studying abroad in Rome
Communication sciences and disorders major Nicole Quirante '19 says that a highlight of her study abroad trip to Salzburg, Austria, was being able to take classes outside of her major and travel to new places, such as Rome. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Quirante)

“I had always known that I wanted to help people, but I wasn’t sure in which capacity that would be,” says Nicole Quirante ’19.

After learning about careers in speech-language pathology in high school, Quirante began looking for schools with good communicative sciences programs. After moving to Redlands from the Philippines as a child, she was sure she wanted to get as far away from Southern California as possible. But then she found the University of Redlands Communication Sciences and Disorders program, and knew she had found her path.

“Being able to communicate with each other is powerful,” she says. “I had a few friends who received speech therapy and it really increased their self-confidence. It feels good to know I can make a difference.”

"During my trip, I could see history right in front of me—the course material became tangible," says Quirante. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Quirante)

In addition to her studies, Quirante says she enjoys the community she has found at the University of Redlands, thanks to Greek life and study abroad. As vice president of the Beta Lambda sorority, she has expanded her personal and professional network by attending and hosting Greek events. During a study abroad trip to Salzburg, Austria, she forged long-lasting bonds with her classmates and professors.

A favorite part of her Salzburg experience was having the opportunity to explore subjects outside of her major. During her semester in Salzburg, Quirante fulfilled liberal arts requirements in courses including German, History of Austria, and classes on European politics and art history.

“On one of our field trips, we went to an Austrian concentration camp that we had just learned about in class,” she says. “Sometimes when you take a history class at school in the U.S., the material feels like it took place a world away. During my trip, I could see history right in front of me—the course material became tangible.”

After her trip, Quirante took a course on re-entering the campus community after studying abroad, taught by Professor of Psychology Susan Goldstein. “Taking that class helped me realize how important the things I learned in Salzburg are,” she says. “Professor Goldstein goes out of her way to ensure student success. Any time I saw her out of the classroom, she would ask how I was doing and if I needed any help.”

Looking forward, Quirante hopes to attend a graduate school to further her knowledge of communication disorders and eventually launch a career as a speech-language pathologist. Even after she graduates, Quirante is sure she will look back fondly at her time at the U of R.

“I knew that having small classes would help me connect with people, but I had no idea how amazing the experience would be,” she says. “The ability to have intimate connections with your classmates and professors is something you don’t get at a large university."

Quirante talks more about her Salzburg experience in the video below: