Meet Leonardo Di Biase, a business management major who is set to graduate in 2026. He is also a proud member of the men’s soccer team at Fisher College. Leonardo began his college journey in 2022 when he moved from Empoli, Italy, to West Virginia to pursue higher education. He later transferred to Fisher College, which is located in the heart of Boston.
When he decided to transfer from his college in West Virginia, Leonardo knew exactly what he wanted. He committed to Fisher College without even touring the campus first. When asked why he chose Fisher College, Leonardo explained, “[It] let me think about my ‘American Dream’. Boston and Fisher College were and are still the best connections that I could find, and this is how I wanted to live my life in the US.” Leonardo grew up in Empoli, Italy, before moving to the United States. Empoli is a charming town in Tuscany, known for its rich history and beautiful architecture, just a train ride away from Florence. When he decided to move to the United States, his main motivation was the American Dream and the desire to make his grandfather proud.
“My reason was my grandfather Francesco. He’s always pushed me to learn English. He always said to me that my life was in the US and that I had to open my mind and travel the world. He didn’t see my decision in person, but I know that he is with me. I’m here to make him proud of me.”
Back home, Leonardo misses his brother, Gianmarco, and two dogs, Blackie and Lala. However, when asked what he misses the most, he replies, “I miss my Italian food!”
Leonardo shared with us about his first year at Fisher, “My first year was great. I found a new reality here…” However, balancing soccer and academics wasn't always easy, but Leonardo managed it well. He stated, “Honestly, I think I did great [with] ‘time management’ because I had time for study, soccer, and work.” He also recognizes the significance of being organized, sharing, “I like to organize my week by doing all the homework on Monday or Tuesday, leaving time to work every day in the cafeteria and practice with my team in the afternoon.” By prioritizing his tasks, he effectively juggled his responsibilities and made the most of his time.
Leonardo's favorite class at Fisher College was Public Speaking, taught by Professor Nancy Denney. He admired how she injected her passion for the subject into every lesson, creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment. He expressed, “I loved the way the professor conveyed her passion to students; she was able to create a group that was able to expound their ideas and thoughts while making everyone participate.”
Being a part of the men's soccer team at Fisher College has been a significant experience for Leonardo. Coming from a country where soccer reigns supreme, he expresses his passion by saying, “I want to transmit my same passion to everybody.” The community he has fostered during his time here has played a vital role in easing his transition. He shares, “Since my first year, the relationship that I have with my teammates is amazing. I like that everyone feels the importance of being together, also in a small thing like eating at a table in the cafeteria.” This year, Leonardo was given the opportunity to serve as captain of the team, allowing him to bring everyone together and guide them in their journey.
During his free time, Leonardo enjoys exploring Newbury Street, which is just a five-minute walk from campus. He loves wandering through Downtown Boston and relaxing in the Boston Common. Leonardo also frequently visits the Fenway area, home to the Boston Red Sox, where he can enjoy a variety of restaurants, shops, and local activities. He makes it a priority to carve out time for himself and his friends to unwind and de-stress from their academic and soccer responsibilities.
Being a transfer or international student can often make it challenging to connect and find your community. However, Leonardo has some valuable advice to share. “If you are part of a team, it is easy to connect with people, but my advice goes to those who transfer here alone. I would say, be yourself; not everybody can like you. You’re here for your experience, and you cannot be influenced by people who don’t like you.” He encourages fellow students not to be shy — reaching out to others can make all the difference. Seek out study groups, engage with classmates, and connect with your roommates. He adds, “Fisher is not a huge college; everybody knows everybody, so just a ‘hey, how are you?’ could turn into ‘we’re going out this Friday’ in a week.
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