Lukasz Niparko ’13 brings a global outlook to every aspect of life.  Hailing from Poland, he graduated from the United World College of the American West.  Lukasz says that being born in 1989, he is of the first generation of Poles that is able to freely travel and enjoy freedom of speech and democracy.

“St. Lawrence University is a place where I can become an aware citizen of the world, not only an observer but an active participant in global issues,” says Lukasz.

In spring 2010, he participated in St. Lawrence’s Global Francophone Cultures Program.  The vast study abroad opportunities that SLU offers is one of the features that Lukasz found most exciting when he first heard of St. Lawrence, he says.

“Thanks to this program I not only can improve my French, but also have an opportunity to explore three cultures: Quebec, Senegal and France,” explains Lukasz, who is a global studies major. He adds that these opportunities enrich his major field of study greatly.

Lukasz greatly values the ability to learn from other people. He says the SLU community has been extremely welcoming and has become his “second family.” 

On campus he is involved in many clubs and organizations, including Amnesty International, the African singing group Mantswe Amantle and the Newman Club.  He is also a part of a new organization, Glocal, which encourages SLU students to “think globally and act locally.”

Lukasz hopes to become a human rights lawyer.  He says that St. Lawrence has allowed him to understand that “we are all ‘united in diversity’ and that only we have the power to make this world a better place. I wish one day to make my little contribution in achieving that.”                                                                                                                                  

--Josh Johnson ’10