NYC: A Food Lover's Paradise

One of the many perks of going to school in New York City is the almost endless options you have when it comes to food. Seriously, think of almost any cuisine and there is probably a restaurant in New York that offers it. During my time at Fordham, I have tried all different kinds of food -- some more traditional (like the delicious, warm, and gooey chocolate chip cookies at Levain Bakery) and some more exotic to my pallet (like having dim sum at a restaurant in Brooklyn's chinatown). 

Fresh-baked cookies from Levain Bakery

The best part is that you often don't even have to go very far to get a taste for all that New York's culinary scene has to offer. Arthur Avenue, which is just off Fordham's Rose Hill campus, has some of the best Italian food in the world. And if you're the type that just likes to stick to the basics like pizza, there are some delicious pizzerias on Arthur Ave and just off campus as well.

So whether you prefer to stick to the basics or love to branch out and try interesting and different foods, New York and Fordham offer it all!

Pizza and garlic knots from University Pizza located on Fordham Road

Fun Events in NYC: Halloween Dog Parade

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to the Halloween Dog Parade at Tompkins Square Park. The suggested donation to enter the organized parade was $5 and there were plenty of adorable dogs in creative costumes walking around the park. CNN calls the event, “the largest dog costume parade in the world.” This year, Purina Beggin’ sponsored the parade, and it was the 26th time the parade has occurred. There were all different types of dogs dressed up as everything from other types of animals to witty pop culture references! There were so many people there. It's definitely a favorite event for many, especially for students at Fordham!

Many dog owners coordinated with their precious pups to create a perfect pairing! This duo certainly wins the Ghostbusters coordinated costume:

Other pups really fit their costumes, like this dog dressed up as his look-alike dog in the Bush's Baked Beans commercial!

Be sure to go to this really fun event next year if you have a chance! It was also easy to find new and interesting places to eat nearby. After the dog parade, we ate at a place called Korilla BBQ, a delicious eatery that we stumbled upon while walking back to the subway. There's never a boring weekend at Fordham; there's always something going on around campus or in New York City. The dog parade was just one inexpensive thing to see in the city, and there are constantly new events and activities nearby.

The Concourse Group: Fordham's Student-Run Consulting Firm

If you are looking for a hands-on way to get more involved in the local Bronx community, while also gaining real world experience towards your major, look no further than The Concourse Consulting Group. Run completely by Fordham students, The Concourse Consulting Group is staffed with approximately twenty consultants working with five local businesses. As a current member of Concourse, the experience I have gained through the group has been invaluable (and not to mention a great resume builder). Concourse is centered around developing and enhancing the common good in the direct community. When working these local businesses, we seek to help them develop their entrepreneurial ventures by providing pro bono consulting and microloans. Some of the responsibilities of Concourse consultants include developing in-depth business plans, conducting competitor and market analyses, examining the financials of the company, and creating a web/social media presence for our clients. 

Working for Concourse not only allows you to “get your feet wet,” gaining experience with a real company; it also has a social good aspect, making your contributions even more meaningful. Consultants are often working with small fledgling start-ups;their survival may depend on the strategy work that Concourse does for them. As consultants, we strive to provide the businesses owners with the necessary tools to propel their business into success. The Concourse Group is not simply a consulting firm in the Bronx; we are a part of the Bronx. We explore the neighborhood and truly seek to get involved with the diverse, entrepreneurial individuals who live in our area. As we help out these local entrepreneurs, in turn, we receive knowledgeable insight into the struggles and triumphs of developing a business venture.

So whether you are a finance, marketing, accounting, or even a philosophy major, The Concourse Group has a place for you. The relationship that a Concourse consultant develops is one of reciprocity; in your time as a consultant, you will not only share your knowledge with clients but also cultivate a deeper understanding of the startup world and the Bronx community. 

For more information about Concourse click here. 

Campus Involvement: Fordham's Commuting Student's Services at Rose Hill

During my first year of college, I was confused and scared. I was a commuting student, I had very few friends, and I felt alone. I wanted to be involved, but going to clubs alone was very intimidating. It was really hard being a commuter. However, I made the decision to join the Commuting Students Association. When I attended my first meeting, I met a wide variety of people with a wide variety of faces. These people were extraordinarily welcoming with arms open wide. Joining was the best decision of my life. I met a fantastic group of students, attended numerous events, and made a new "Fordham Family." This was my first step into involvement within the Fordham community. 

Last year's CSA members at Thanks-Give-Away

As one of Fordham University's three government organizations, the Commuting Students Association's (or CSA for short) role on campus is to create a fun, inclusive environment for commuting students. We do so by promoting new policies that will make commuting easier and increasing commuter involvement on campus by programming commuter friendly events every semester. Our two biggest events on campus are Thanks-Give-Away, a charity event to support Part of the Solution, and Commuter Week, a week dedicated to appreciate our commuters on campus. All CSA's events are available for all Fordham students (both residents and commuters), and are typically free admission. If you are interested in getting involved with commuter life, our meetings are on Monday, starting at 1 PM in McGinley 237, and are open for all to attend. 

 Our Commuter Assistants at our annual Commuter BBQ

Another important resource available to commuters is Fordham's commuter assistants (or CAs for short). They are the counterpart of the resident assistant for commuters on campus, and are designed specifically to assist freshman commuters ease into their first year of college. They are a great resource for these new commuters because they serve as both a mentor and a friend. Our CAs are specially selected based on their involvement, personality, and experiences here on campus. They are a resource available at anytime who can give a wide variety of information about Fordham to their students. They also program several events throughout the year; for example, monthly pool tournaments or holiday related events. I can definitely say that my commuter assistant, Andrew Santis, had helped me adapt to the Fordham community, and helped me get to the place I am today. If you are interested in learning more about our commuter assistants, visit the McGinley Student Lounge during lounge hours.

CSA's executive board at our Fall Retreat

Follow CSA on Facebook and Twitter for updates on our events!!!