For Nicolas Terminiello, life has always been about understanding human behavior and creating change. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Terminiello earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Universidad Austral, but his path took an exciting turn when a budding interest in business led him to McIntire.
His decision to enter the M.S. in Commerce Program was fueled by a desire to leverage business knowledge as an avenue for transformation. “I was always really interested in understanding why people do things, and I saw business as a tool for me to actually help create a change in people’s lives,” he reflects.
His academic transition to a business environment was met with a series of personal revelations. Terminiello notes that his foundation in social sciences provides him with unique insights into business concepts.
While the quantitative nature of the program presented initial hurdles, Terminiello embraced the challenge head-on, demonstrating commitment and perseverance. “Studying and growing in business skills—and combining both [social science and business]—is really rich,” he asserts. His prior experience in IT consulting, though initially daunting given his background, reinforced his decision to pursue business analytics—a testament to his resilience and adaptability.
One of the aspects that drew Terminiello to McIntire’s program was the welcoming environment he found during the application process. As an international student navigating the complexities of a new academic landscape, he appreciated the support from McIntire’s admissions staff. “There are a lot of things you have to submit, a lot of questions; you’re shy. And they were so nice. I’m actually close with a lot of them,” he recalls fondly.
Transitioning to life in the U.S. introduced its own set of challenges, from mastering the English language to adapting to the cultural nuances of everyday interactions. “Everything took me longer, but it was only a matter of practice,” Terminiello shares, underscoring the importance of being persistent and patient when facing the significant lifestyle changes that come with relocating to a new country.
One of the critical learning points for him has been embracing his differences and focusing on personal growth rather than comparison. “I stopped [comparing myself to others] and started just working on myself,” he admits. “The social part is challenging, too, because you have to make friends in a new language. You’ve got to learn slang and the culture.”
His experiences in the Comm School have enriched him personally. The emphasis on collaborative learning and his immersion in group projects—often with a democratic structure—have been particularly enlightening. “I feel like the way of working here is completely different from the one in Argentina—really different,” he says, noting that the group dynamic continually allows for enlightening discussions and shared insights.
His approach to engaging with his course material is noteworthy: “My mindset and my approach are going to be always global. When you’re born and raised in a non-major economy, the only way you can actually learn is if you take courses and study subjects from other countries. So I feel that I have a decentralized mindset, which helps a lot,” he says, noting that he plans to take that framework and combine it with the approach he is learning at McIntire to give him a range of tools to apply in whatever avenue he chooses for a global business career.
Before that decision is imminent, he remains focused on the McIntire coursework that has similarly equipped him with crucial skills and fostered his growth; he points out how he is building on his non-business background and moved toward mastering challenging subjects like financial and cost accounting. Terminiello speaks particularly highly of the Strategy course and the advancements he made over the last few months. “Studying for a midterm exam and realizing that I could actually understand every single concept, connect them, and apply them for a case that was taking me five minutes to read instead of 20, as it had been, were really rewarding,” he says.
Looking forward, Terminiello envisions a career where he can merge his passion for global development with business strategy, with aspirations of joining international development organizations. “I really want to work with developing countries either in policy development or in international trade operation,” he shares, expressing a desire to stay connected to his roots while impacting the world.
For prospective international students considering McIntire’s M.S. in Commerce, Terminiello’s journey is a beacon of encouragement. His advice? Understand that while it’s challenging, the experience is transformative. “It’s going to be worth it,” he assures, reminding students that the journey is as enriching as the destination.
