Nicholas Howard graduated with honors from SMCM in 2023, with a major in international languages and cultures: French and Chinese. His senior thesis researched how studying abroad in France influenced Chinese author Ba Jin. Howard participated in numerous extracurricular activities while at SMCM, including being an executive board member of the Student Government Association and president of the History Club. He also worked as a resident assistant for the Office of Residence Life. Howard received the award for Excellence in International Languages and Cultures in May 2023 and taught English in Grenoble, France from September to December 2023. Having the opportunity to teach English in the Slovak Republic would allow Howard to explore his own heritage while studying Slovakia’s recent history and people’s thoughts towards democratic rule. Currently, he works and volunteers as an emergency medical technician and is employed as a legislative assistant for Delegate Kevin Harris in Annapolis, Maryland.