Rachel Dobrzynski ’21 loves to talk. So much so that she learned Spanish so she could “talk to more people” in her high school’s diverse student body. The language lessons uncovered an even deeper passion.   

“I became fascinated by different  cultures,” Dobrzynski recalls. “But I wasn’t sure how I could turn those interests into a career until I got to Bentley.”

Associate Professor Christian Rubio, chair of the  Modern Languages Department and director of the Honors Program, pointed her toward the Media and Culture major (with a minor in Spanish for Business).

It wasn’t just the cultural aspect of the major that interested Dobrzynski. “I thought it would be a perfect way for me to tell people’s stories.”  

 Dobrzynski had already started to become more fluent in Spanish through a service project that was part of a first-year Spanish course at Bentley. “I volunteered at WATCH CDC in Waltham to teach English to Spanish-speaking clients. They were so inspiring in that they were mastering a new language, and I thought I could, too.”  

When Rubio recommended Dobrzynski for an internship translating stories from Spanish to English, she jumped at the chance. The company, Rome Reports, is a TV news agency based in Rome that specializes in covering the Pope, Vatican and Catholic Church. It was fall 2019 when Dobrzynski arrived in the capital city to begin what she calls “a wild ride with a thousand different stories.”   

In addition to translation, Dobrzynski conducted interviewed and wrote stories, and maintained the company’s presence on social media. “This experience opened my eyes to new cultures and what it truly means to be adaptable.”   

Walking to work, Dobrzynski would pass St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican. “The Pope would be outside doing Mass and there would be people from all over the world gathering. I probably heard 15 different languages at any given time on my way to the office.”  

At times, Dobrzynski had to jump in and cover for one of the company’s journalists — once during her second week on the job. “They asked me to interview the president of Malta. I took a small bus, and bumpy ride, to a fancy hotel and greeted the Maltese ambassador.” 

Nerves nearly got the best of her, but her Bentley networking skills and love of talking kicked in once the interview began.

“The Maltese president told me all about his experiences, including about the country’s experiences with the Catholic Church or struggles with pirates from Africa and Europe,” says Dobrzynski. “It was so cool.”  

Not all of Dobrzynski’s interviews were in fancy hotels. Sometimes she and the camera crew would go into the streets near St. Peter’s Basilica to ask people (in Spanish) about their reasons for visiting. “It was intimidating trying to understand the various dialects of Spanish spoken in different countries. But with each interview I completed, I felt super accomplished.”  

Her co-workers also exposed her to diverse cultures.

“There were people from all around the world working at this Italian office,” she says. “My manager, for example, was from Ecuador, and another intern was from Guatemala. They ended up becoming some of the best friends I've made my entire life.”  

It also helped that Dobrzynski’s new friends spoke Italian and knew local hotspots that most tourists didn’t, such as small bakeries (for a croissant with Nutella) and cafés (for espresso).   

“I went over to Rome not liking coffee and left there drinking coffee three times a day because that’s how you make friends,” she says, noting that the work culture in Europe is much slower paced than in the United States. “You don’t skip coffee breaks. Whether in the office or in a café, they are part of the work day and a time to catch up. I used the networking and communications skills I learned at Bentley.”  

For example, she likens the recruitment process for the Delta Sigma Pi professional fraternity on campus to  business networking and interviews. “Going into a room full of people I don't know was just like stepping into a room at a work event where you don’t know anyone, but you’re expected to socialize.”  

Dobrzynski credits Bentley Spanish courses for helping her understand  cultural differences. “I never would have known how important it is to accept an offer for social breaks, for example, if I hadn’t been told by a professor beforehand. When you’re invited to do something social with co-workers, it’s expected that you go, otherwise you’re not going to fit into the work culture. It’s a big honor to be asked.”  

Dobrzynski encourages other college students to try new things. “At Bentley I learned to get outside my comfort zone. Otherwise, I don't think I would have ever made it to Rome.”  

Returning to the States, she shifted gears to try her skills in a new kind of role, as a research associate for DoubleCheck Research. Upon graduating, she’ll begin a full-time job there as client success associate promoting DoubleCheck’s new podcast series, Blindspots. She will also communicate with win-loss analysis clients and research directors.  

“I love the idea of storytelling and communicating different cultures through podcasting,”  Dobrzynski says. “So when DoubleCheck offered me a spot helping with podcast promotion, I was excited to take this step. It’s a great example of how a media and culture degree at a business school can work together perfectly.”