Student Profiles

Hometown: Little Neck, NY

In her free time, Joanna explores Baltimore’s many neighborhoods. She likes that she can step out of her dorm into a living, breathing city. “It’s a city with endless dining, shopping, and volunteer opportunities.” On sunny days, Joanna walks around the Inner Harbor, taking in the boat rides, shops, and other outdoor activities. Her favorite spot for ethnic food is the Indian lunch buffet at Akbar Restaurant in Mount Vernon.

As a New Yorker, Joanna’s favorite neighborhood is Fell’s Point. "Fell’s Point reminds me of a smaller version of SoHo with the attitude and people to match. It feels like a piece of home away from home, and it doesn’t hurt that some of the best gelato is just a few blocks away in Little Italy.” Her favorite spot to shop in Fell’s is the Sound Garden. She loves browsing through its impressive collection of records, CDs, and posters.

Baltimore is big enough to spend years exploring, but small enough to make connections and build community. “Because Baltimore is an up-and-coming city, volunteer and internship opportunities are plentiful. College students have the chance to make a difference in the community and contribute to the city where we go to school.”