Class in the City

One of the many benefits of going to school in New York City is getting to take interesting classes that encourage you to take advantage of the Big Apple!

My favorite class I am taking this semester is Theater Journalism. We learn from actual professionals who work in the Broadway community about how to write and report on theater in a variety of ways. As part of the class, we are required to see three shows this semester, and since I am a HUGE fan of seeing shows, this only gave me an excuse to see some of the newest and best productions of the season.

Outside the Broadway Theatre on 53rd Street!

In fact, my professor got us free tickets to see the latest revival of the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Broadway Theatre. This production absolutely blew me away and brought me to tears. It is extremely difficult to get tickets to see the show and I’m so happy that I got to see this as part of my homework.

Sitting in the orchestra!

And, later this semester, a Broadway performer will be coming into class for an interview, which is something I cannot wait to do. I am so thrilled that I chose to take a class this semester that takes one of my biggest passions and makes it a fun and fascinating class that is both challenging and educational. I love taking classes that involve taking advantage of the city and will miss this the most about Fordham after I graduate in May.

Rams See the Stars! My trip to the Museum of Natural History and Central Park

Since Fordham's Lincoln Center campus is in Manhattan, and its Rose Hill campus is 20 minutes away from Manhattan by train, Fordham students have total access to New York City for fun activities, school projects, service trips, jobs, and internships. When taking classes at both Fordham campuses, it is very common to get opportunities to visit museums and other places in the city for class assignments. Today, I spent the day in the Upper West Side of Manhattan at the Museum of Natural History, and Central Park! My roommate is taking an astronomy class at Fordham College at Rose Hill, and one of her assignments for the semester was to visit the planetarium at the Museum of Natural History. Since I love museums and going into the city, I decided to tag along!

Getting to the museum was very easy, thanks to the trusty Fordham Ram Van shuttle service. The Ram Van transports students from Fordham's Rose Hill campus to its Lincoln Center campus. Since I live on the Rose Hill campus, the Ram Van made it very easy to get to the Museum of Natural History on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The planetarium was very exciting. My roommate was very excited to take the knowledge she learned from her astronomy class, and use it to better understand the exhibits at the museum. Getting homework done is never a chore when the assignment involves taking a trip to Manhattan! 

A sculpture of the Moon at the planetarium

After we were done visiting the planetarium, my roommate and I walked back to Fordham's Lincoln Center campus to catch the Ram Van back to our dorm on Rose Hill. On our way there, we passed through Central Park. It was a beautiful day, and we really enjoyed sitting in the park and walking through Lincoln Center! The classes at Fordham really motivate and encourage students to explore the city, and to use their classroom knowledge in actual places throughout New York. As a current sophomore at Fordham University, I can truly say: Fordham is our school, and New York is our campus.

Central Park is always a beautiful spot for a walk!

This is my last blog of the school year! I really enjoyed my first year as a Fordham student blogger, and I cannot wait to get back in the saddle next year for more blog entries! Thank you so much for reading, and stay tuned for next semester! 

Volunteering on Broadway

My uniform! Check out the BC/EFA at broadwaycares.org

I've loved live theatre and the Broadway community for as long as I can remember. In fact, the accessibility to Broadway shows was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Fordham. I also love volunteering, so when I heard about an opportunity to volunteer with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (also known as BC/EFA), I was very excited to get involved.

The BC/EFA raises money to combat HIV/AIDS, and last semester, I signed up to be a volunteer for the Bucket Brigade. As a member of the Bucket Brigade, I stand with a red bucket at the end of participating Broadway shows and collect money for the BC/EFA during their fundraising seasons. I also sell autographed Playbills and fun souvenirs to benefit the cause. At the end of the collecting seasons, the BC/EFA celebrates with the Gypsy of the Year and Easter Bonnet Competitions where casts from Broadway shows perform both hilarious and moving original pieces.

It’s been an incredible experience to help with such a wonderful cause. Because I have a weekly night class at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus, it’s very easy for me to walk over to the theatres and help out. There are so many ways to get involved around New York City, and this is one of my favorites. And the next time you go to a Broadway show, don’t forget to drop a dollar or two into the red bucket!

Top Ten Differences from being a Freshman to being an Upperclassman

 1.  You are able to choose you schedule

Coming in to Fordham as a freshman your schedule is handed to you. However, after that, you are able to choose your own schedule. This is a great way to take classes that interest you and plan a schedule that fits your daily routine. If you are a morning person, like me, you can choose to sign up for all of the 8:30s!

2. You take classes at the Lincoln Center Campus

Whether its because a course is only offered down at Lincoln Center or because you just want to get into the city for classes and have an excuse to venture into the city, as an upperclassmen you may find yourself taking classes down at Lincoln Center. I am currently taking a graduate Geometry course at Lincoln Center on Wednesday nights and it’s a great change of pace and its, surprisingly, great being able to get into the city at least once a week.

3. Your dorm style changes, if you are living on campus.

For those who choose to live on campus, as a freshman you will live in a single room dorm in either a double or a triple. The bathroom, at least in most of the residence halls, will be communal. Not to worry, this is how you will, surprisingly enough, meet most of your friends freshman year! As a sophomore you will once again live in a double or triple with an added bonus of the bathroom being in your room. Finally, as a junior or senior you will have the opportunity to live in an apartment style dorm which includes a living area, a kitchen, bathroom and single or double rooms.

4. The number of classes that you are required to take decreases

Once you become a junior, you are only required to take four classes whereas underclassmen are required to take five. The reasoning behind this is that students, in their junior and senior years should be getting internships and volunteer opportunities to prepare them for life after Fordham. Since  I want to be  a teacher, I currently volunteer by tutoring girls at the Rosedale Center in the Bronx.

5. You begin to take more classes for your major

In my personal experience, as I advanced through Fordham I slowly began to take more classes per semester that applied to my major than to the standard core. I am a math major and last semester all four of my classes were math classes!

6. You take on leadership roles within clubs and organizations

The clubs and organizations that you choose to join freshman year will play a big role in shaping your Fordham experience. For this reason, while you may just be a general member during your freshman and even sophomore years, as you become a junior or senior you may take on E-board (Executive Board) positions and hold more responsibility. I am not the Club Liiason of the Polish Club which I have been involved with since my freshman year.

7. You realize that office hours are the best resource around, and they are actually very helpful

As an underclassman I always hesitated to go to my professors office hours. However, after being here for three years,  I now go to at least one office hour, practically every day.

8. You become more focused on the future

As graduation approaches, you begin to think more about your plans for the future. I am currently working on graduate school applications to get my masters in Secondary Education.

My friends and I as underclassmen. 

9. You know your way around Arthur Avenue, the Bronx, and NYC more.

Once you become an upperclassmen you begin to know the best pizza place, the best restaurant on Arthur Avenue, the cheapest place to get groceries and the best places to hangout with friends. Additionally, all of your trips into the city as a freshman make you a master at the subways and cool things to do in the city.

10. You know the ropes

As a freshman everything is new and exciting. You are exploring where your classes are, what your professors are like, who you will be friends with, what clubs and activities you will become involved in and what you will do on the weekends. As an upperclassman you have been able to get settled in and can now enjoy all that Fordham has to offer, and believe me, from experience, it has a lot to offer!

Still great friends as upperclassmen! 

With all of this said, not everything changes as you move from being an underclassman to an upperclassman. For me, while all of these changes were taking place the one thing that did not change was my group of friends. I am glad that I have been able to share all of my experiences with them! 

It's Christmas time in the City

It's that time of year again - Christmas at Fordham!  Here at our Rose Hill campus, there are so many different ways to get into the holiday spirit. Here's a list of how the Fordham community is celebrating the holidays and giving thanks for our #Ramily this season.

Peer Educators is an on-campus group
that provides festivities for health and good cheer!

1. Holiday Fair

Every year, Fordham's Campus Activities Board puts on a Holiday Fair where students can take pictures with Santa and his elves, share some free treats, and even do a little gift-shopping.  This year, I helped table for Fashion for Philanthropy selling Candy-Cane Grams and painting festive nails - all proceeds went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Students look forward to seeing the horse-drawn sleigh that rides throughout campus for several hours during class-time the day of the fair.  I remember the first time I saw the sleigh, I could not believe my eyes - it was a Christmas miracle!

Even the rain and gray skies can't stop the annual horse and carriage rides!

2. Volunteering

What better way to truly keep the joy in the Christmas season than to give back to the community?  Every year, Fordham sponsors toy/food/coat drives for those who are in most need during the chilly season.  I have already received so many emails about different different drives occurring on campus.  I think this not only retains the true value of the season, but also highlight's Fordham's Jesuit mission of men and women for others.  

My residence hall, Walsh, is having it's own Toy and Coat drive,
sponsored by the Residence Hall Association.

3. Arthur Avenue's "Little Italy"

Student's who are in need of a home-cooked hearty holiday meal will venture to Arthur Avenue, the "Little Italy" section of the Bronx.  Arthur Avenue is a tight-knit community with its own unique charm that is a mixture of the old and the new - it still has most of its original storefronts that have been passed down from generation to generation, while also attracting students, families, and tourists alike who want the best Italian food in NYC!  Also, every year, the Belmont community (where Arthur Ave is situated) has their own tree lighting and caroling that always is sure to put a smile on any passer-by's face!  I always look forward to having a Christmas dinner with friends to unwind during finals and prep for the next semester. 

Annual lights on Arthur Avenue to welcome all who visit!

4. NYC

Or if you want to experience some of the magic of Manhattan that occurs during this time, Fordham LC is just a quick 30 minute Ram Van ride away!  This will take students right to Columbus Circle where there are holiday lights that are like magic at each change of color.  This sophisticated yet quaint area of the NYC is sure to bring the Christmas spirit to full force with the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts just a short distance away where holiday-enthusiasts can see the Nutcracker!

These are just a few ways to partake in the holiday cheer, which there is certainly an abundance of here at Fordham.  Happy holidays to all!

Weekend Update

The beautiful Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge Park

Amy Caffrey

After a long week of midterms, some friends and I decided to relax by heading downtown and taking a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, one of our favorite things to do! We hung out in the Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, and stayed long enough to see the beautiful view of the city skyline at night across the water.

Foster the People at the United Palace Theatre

Matthew Calhoun

Kicked off the weekend Friday night by going to see Foster The People preform at the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, one of the most beautiful venues I've ever been to. The next day was spent with friends shopping and dining in Chelsea and SoHo, two of the coolest neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan. Sunday was dedicated to wrapping up schoolwork and studying of course, but not too bad for a weekend that flew by!

One of the Botanical Gardens' picturesque trails

Victoria Cappucci

With fall in full bloom here at Fordham, I decided to unwind this Sunday for a walk through the Botanical Gardens. The gardens are always a great way to de-stress before and after midterms, which we could all use during this time of year! And the best part is that it's free for Fordham students. Go rams!

The choir gathers for one last rehearsal

Kate Callahan

This Sunday, the Fordham University and Women’s Choirs presented their annual fall concert. These groups, which are made up of students from both the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses, come together a few times a year to perform for the Fordham community. Both choirs put on impressive shows and are looking forward to the Festival of Lessons and Carols, one of Fordham’s most exciting holiday traditions!

The Greatest City In The World During The Summer: Fordham Style

An amazing perk of going to Fordham that I didn’t realize until well after I came here, is Fordham during the summer season. What’s better than NYC during the school year…NYC during the summer time of course!

My roommate and I enjoyed ice cream on a warm day this spring in Manhattan!

 Six of my good friends are doing summer sessions here, four of them living at Rose Hill and two of them living in Manhattan at Lincoln Center. Fordham has AMAZING summer opportunities. While I have a job back home that I need to go home for, next summer I am DEFINITELY going to do a summer session, hopefully at Lincoln Center! My four friends that are living here at Rose Hill are working at our Call Center, which is a job here on campus that calls alumni and works on fundraising. They’re making money and living in the city that never sleeps, how awesome is that?! Two of these friends have internships in the city and the other two are taking classes. My two friends that decided to live at LC for the summer both have summer internships too! Last year another friend of ours lived at Fordham LC for the summer, and she balanced a class and an internship, while also having tons of city adventures all summer long! Living in NYC in such a beautiful neighborhood on the Upper West Side is such a privilege and a great opportunity; I really recommend that every Fordham student does this for at least one summer session while they are an undergrad.

 

Isn't Bryant Park so beautiful in the sun?!

Fordham has a great career services office; they can set you up with an awesome summer internship. If that’s not your cup of tea for the summer, how about taking a summer course at one of our two beautiful campuses?

My friends at Fordham doing summer sessions will be able to explore the city all summer long!

 Fordham is very accommodating with housing, and you can choose whether you want to live at LC or RH based on your own personal preferences. I cannot wait to visit my friends that are staying on campus this summer!! I’m so jealous!!

Broccoli Always Down

A few weeks ago, February 28^th to be exact, my friends and I attended Fordham LC’s annual Winter Ball. Each year USG (United Student Government) and CAB (Campus Activities Board) come together to create a fun and one-of-a-kind event for the Fordham community. In the past, Winter Ball was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, The Roosevelt, Tavern on the Green, and many more.

This year's theme was masquerade

Dressed to the nines, Fordham students gathered to celebrate another year in the “ramily.” The masquerade themed shindig was held at Three Sixty in Tribeca. Talk about views! The place had floor to ceiling glass windows that displayed a million (or probably closer to 50 million) dollar scene of NYC. 

My roommate and I on the "red carpet"

So on top of having a space as sick as this, we also got treated to the incredible three course meal. Tip of the night: Apparently, there is a specific way in that the plate is supposed to be positioned on the table, which my waiter quite peculiarly pointed out to me by spinning turning my the dish and telling me, “Broccoli, always down.” Good to know?

Looks to good to eat...well...

In between the glorious helpings, the majority of the party could be found out on the dance floor, working off all of those delectable calories. From throwback jams (jump, jump, jump, jump), to ‘90s classics (I’m talking to you, Britney), to the electronic pop of today (unce, unce, unce), the nigh's music bumped through the speakers. The dance floor was packed with bodies getting down and it was a good time.

To dance or to eat?

Being a senior, it was a so nice to be able to get together with all of my Fordham friends, get dressed up, and just being with each other. To not have to worry about papers, or internships, and just be present in the moment with people that are closest to me was an incredible experience. It was a night of dancing, laughing, great food, amazing views and an all around grand time to be a ram! 

Table 16.

Weekend Update

It's Weekend Update time! Students are settling back into school, getting acquainted with their new professors and classes, and the spring semester is in full swing! This polar vortex is forcing everyone to bundle up, but these students know there is just too much to do. Look at what these students did this past weekend when they braved the cold!

Marisa Diaz 

This weekend I took the Ram Van into Manhattan with my roommate and went to Alice's Tea Cup for lunch. The Alice in Wonderland-themed cafe serves delicious tea, scones, and sandwiches. For only $40 we split a pot of chai tea, 2 scones, 2 sandwiches, and chocolate moose with cookies! 

Eva Codispoti

This weekend I went to go see Once the musical on Broadway. It was a

beautiful show with an amazing atmosphere and a great soundtrack. You can even go on stage and listen to the band play before the show starts! 

Shane Yelicanin

This past weekend I was provided the opportunity to see Dr. Dog perform live at Fordham Lincoln Center. The event, Winterfest, was organized by the Campus Activities Board. The show was great, as was the convenience of traveling by Ram Van from Rose Hill.

Kayla Giampaolo

This weekend, my friends and I went to go see Wicked on Broadway. Seeing shows as a college student can get pricey, but there are many options available in order to receive the cheapest tickets possible. Take advantage of things like TKTS booths, student discounts, and lotteries that are located in most box offices the day of the performance. It is a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday with friends! 

Our Favorite New York City Eats

New York City, known as the center of the universe, (coined in one of our favorite Broadway shows, Rent) is chock-full of places to go and food to eat!!! I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite restaurants in NYC, ranging from Italian, to sushi, to mac n'cheese.

1. Sotto 13 (pizza and tapas): One of our favorite Italian restaurants in all of NYC! Our personal favorite dishes include the veggie pizza and broccoli rabe orechiette (seen above). Check out their website here! 

2. Motorino: Located on the lower east side and known as Rachel Ray and Mario Batali's favorite pizzeria, Motorino has the best personal pies of downtown. My favorites include their famous brussel sprout pizza and their meatball pie. Take a peek at their site!

3. Nobu 57: For all those sushi lovers that are willing to splurge a little for some delicious rolls, Nobu 57 is perfect. It has a really cool vibe, and the sushi is to die for. My favorite would definitely have to be their spicy tuna roll and their mochi for dessert. Check out their website here!

4. Benihana: f you're in the mood for some awesome hibachi or a fun sushi plate, Benihana is most definitely the way to go. It's a super fun experience and the food is amazing. We love their hibachi filet mignon with fried rice, of course. Click here to check them out.

5. Room Service: My favorite Thai place! It's on Columbus Ave and 47th, a pretty nice walk from our LC Campus. They have great drinks, incredible dinners, and the coolest decor -- including this huge chandelier that sits in the middle of the dining room. We love their vegetable dumplings and their pad see euw. Check out their menu or order-in here. 

6. El Mitote: Located on the Upper West Side, El Mitote is one of my favorite Mexican places in all of Manhattan! The design of the place is super quaint and fun, and you'll never get tired of the food. Our favorites include their guacamole and their chorizo quesadillas. Check out their Google+ Page here.

7. Rosa Mexicano: Literally right across from Fordham Lincoln Center and a block up, Rosa Mexicano has the best guacamole you'll ever have. It's a staple for us LC folk, and our favorites include the baja fish tacos (see above), chicken quesadillas, and chorizo taco rolls! Take a peek at the experience here. 

8. S'MAC: If you're in the mood for some comfort food, we highly recommend S'mac, an all around mac and cheese place. They make and can create any mac and cheese of your liking and their warm meals are perfect for a chilly day. Check out their menu here!