Seniors to Remember 2025

Johany Jeune had not traveled much before coming to Boston College. But through the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program and the Connell School, she has gone to Dubai, Jordan, Italy, Chile, and Switzerland. She’s studied alongside students from China, India, Lebanon, Switzerland, New Zealand, Malaysia, Italy, and Chile. These experiences have transformed how she sees the world and how she understands herself: “Without BC I would not have been able to see the world the way I’ve seen it. I just want to keep seeing more.”

How have your experiences in other countries had an impact on you and your understanding of nursing?

In Chile [Universidad de Santiago], I was with students in different areas of study—nursing, linguistics, public health, and pre-med. We talked to each other about our different health care systems and how we do some things in the same way and do some things in different ways. That’s was very huge for me. In Switzerland [Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source], I got a wider lens on health care. We went to Geneva and heard talks at the United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross. While on a clinical rotation, I was partnered with a nurse and I watched how she cared for her patients. She went into one room speaking French, the next room speaking English, and then switched to speak German. Language is such a huge part of health care. Language barriers can impact so many people here in the United States. That experience jumpstarted a vision of how I could see myself in health care.

What has been your favorite clinical experience?

I had a great experience at Boston Medical Center for my senior synthesis on the labor and delivery floor. My two preceptors, Katee Foley and Rebecca Hardy, were incredible. They were so open to teach me and take me everywhere. They're so good at their jobs that I learned the kind of nurse I want to be just from being with them. To have people who believe in me was very impactful. I watched someone give birth and held her leg up as the baby was delivering. It was so beautiful. And I think the cherry on top of it is was she was from a Haitian background. My mom was born in Haiti. I was born here in the U.S., but I speak Haitian Creole. So I'm able to communicate directly to patients who are Haitian migrants in their home language, and I really see the difference it makes.

How has BC made a difference in your life?

I overplan. My head is constantly running and I have a lot of ideas. BC helped me to focus and hone in: Who do I want to become? What do I want to do? How do I want to affect others? At BC I also learned to be present. You can think about the next thing, but also enjoy the now because you only have it for so long.

BC also brought me more in touch with my faith and my spirituality. I grew up Catholic. I sang in the choir and was an altar server, but then in high school I moved to another community and the Church was not as consistent in my life. At BC, the Jesuit values found me and became ingrained in me. BC gave me a platform: I went on Kairos and did the Camino with Colleen [Dallavalle] and Fr. Casey [Beaumier]. I started to choose faith for myself and choose God for myself, not just because it was something that I grew up with.

You walked the Camino Ignacio as part of a new Capstone class, The Discerning Pilgrim. What can you tell us about the course?

In Spain, we were traveling the way that St. Ignatius had. We started in Bilbao, we ended in Barcelona. We went through Loyola, Xavier, Sos de Rey Catolico, Zaragoza, Montserrat, and Manresa. In Montserrat we went hiking together and watched the sunrise at the cross. It was so beautiful. We had Mass every day and on Ash Wednesday, Fr. Casey put ashes on us. We were in this crypt that St. Ignatius had been in. The course has been about being honest, being vulnerable, and challenging ourselves. We started this course as 21 strangers. I'm walking out of this class connected to these people and bonded to these people because we've been vulnerable enough to share with each other. We’ve had honest conversations with each other. I learned who they are and they learned who I am. We all grew closer because of that.

What extracurriculars have been meaningful for you?

I would first say my culture club, L’Association Haitienne. I’ve been able to build a community of people who are from the same background as I am. I am most proud of putting on “Zoefest: Welcome to Our Lakou,” this year’s huge cultural show, where we have different students from on and off campus who showcase their talent. And then it opens up to a big concert with a Haitian artist. So those are ways that I can be in community with people, feel that family, and keep in touch with my culture.

And then FISTS (Females Incorporating Sisterhood Through Step). When I’m on stage, I feel myself become a different person. Being part of FISTS has helped build my confidence. If you asked me freshman year if I would’ve been dancing on stage in front of people in Conte Forum, I would have said you were crazy!

Then I want to mention the Women’s Center. I participated in the Black Women Matter Retreat my freshman year. I loved it! I’ve led the retreat every year after that. We put together a space where Black women can come together and see each other, feel each other, and be intentional, authentic, with no expectations. It’s been really beautiful. The Woman’s Center is so filled with love.

What will you miss the most about BC?

I'm really, really going to miss the community. Just seeing people, being able to say “Hi” as you're walking by them, the authentic conversations that you're able to have with people. When I first came to school, I didn't think I was going to buy into the traditions, but I’ve bought into all the BC traditions. I'm going to miss what it means to be here at BC as a student, to be part of Showdown, to go on travel experiences with your friends, go on service trips, to do a Camino, to be on Kairos. I'm going to miss all of that.