Barbare Sturua, a sophomore from Tbilisi, Georgia, is enjoying dorm life at St. Joseph’s University.

Learners from all over the world choose St. Joseph’s University’s Brooklyn campus, not only for its award-winning education but for the unique experience of living in New York City’s coolest borough.

This year, students from more than 30 countries and U.S. states made up the SJNY contingent on move-in day at the St. George Residence. Formerly an upscale Brooklyn Heights hotel, the space now houses students from several local institutions, including St. Joseph’s.

“I feel lucky to be part of this community because it’s diverse, vibrant, friendly, and creative,” said Barbare Sturua (class of ’26), a sophomore from Tbilisi, Georgia. 

As a freshman, Barbare commuted from Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan to the St. Joseph University campus in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood, but she opted to live at the St. George Residence in her second year.

A Welcoming Community

“I think I made more friends in the first couple of days moving into the dorms than my entire freshman year when I was commuting,” said Barbare, a journalism and new media studies major. “We all helped each other move furniture, carry suitcases, and get around the building and the neighborhood. The entire move-in experience helped me find precious new friends and created a strong bond between us,” she added. 

The rhythm of Brooklyn Heights better suits Barbare, who has found solace in her new surroundings. 

“My inner condition has become more harmonious, just like the atmosphere around me,” she said. “I found a new creative zone in a friendly and peaceful neighborhood. I am excited to write in my journal on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, overlooking the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge.”

The Right Decision

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Barbare was desperate for something new to happen in her life. She recalls the moment she learned of her acceptance to St. Joseph’s and how excited she was to come to study in New York.

“I still can’t believe I live here — I think coming to this school was the right decision,” Barbare said.

Even though her new surroundings excite her, she still seeks old comforts. 

“Another thing that excites me is that a new Georgian restaurant just opened across the residence hall, so I won’t even feel homesick,” she added.