GO! Set the World On Fire

One of the greatest ways to get involved in Fordham's campus community is through a program called Global Outreach, or GO!. Associated with the Office of Mission and Ministry, the Global Outreach program organizes short-term service and cultural immersion projects for Fordham students at both international and domestic locations. Usually about ten days in length, GO! projects are offered over winter break, spring break, and in the beginning of the summer term. Founded in the four pillars of community, social justice, simple living, and spirituality, GO! projects are meant to expose students to issues of social, economic, political, and environmental injustice, while living in solidarity with the communities they serve.

Half of my team - throughout the semester we go on GOcials, to get to know the members of our team!

 This semester, I have the privilege of participating in the GO! NYC project. While most trips involve a decent amount of travel (other project sites include India, El Salvador, and New Orleans, to name a few), this project is unique in that it allows students to implement the GO! mission in our very own New York. This January, we will be spending ten days working with partner organizations at various sites throughout the city, learning about issues facing the people with HIV/AIDs, working families, and the homeless. In preparation, our team has weekly meetings, socials (called GOcials, of course!), and fundraisers to help offset the cost of our trip. Already, we are building our own miniature community, and I cannot wait to get going on our project! I couldn't be happier that I decided to apply to Global Outreach, and encourage all Fordham students to do so as well! For more information about GO! and its projects, visit the Global Outreach website.

To offset the cost of the trip, we organize fundraisers throughout the semester. Last week, we organized a quesadilla delivery...sadly, guac was extra!

A Midterm-Taker's Guide to the Perfect Study Break

Any college or high school student knows how stressful the mid-to-late October stretch is in the Fall semester. It's when tests, projects, papers and quizzes start to build up and stress is at an all-time high. As a pre-med student, I know just how hard this time of the year is, but I try to take time out of studying to relax and rejuvenate. I think it's important to take some time for yourself while also focusing on your studies! These are some study breaks I've taken this midterm season, and I encourage everyone should try to take a little time off as well!
My favorite study break involves my favorite pastime: eating! New York is one of the culinary capitals of the world, so my friends and I love to take advantage of the amazing food that we can find in our area. Arthur Avenue is a Fordham favorite, so we always like to explore the restaurants and bakeries around the area. Cannolis from Madonia Bakery on Arthur are one of my favorite treats if you ever want to "treat yo' self!" My friends and I also love to go to brunch in the city. Last week we went to Jack's Wife, Frieda in Soho. I would definitely recommend it!

Brunch from Jack's Wife, Freda in Soho

In the city that never sleeps, there are infinite things to do. My friend, Matt, and I found out that our favorite Instagram dog celebrity, Marnie the Dog, was having a meet and greet in Greenwich Village. We decided to take some much deserved time off from studying and go. We got to meet Marnie and take a picture with her, which was so much fun!

Matt, Marnie the Dog and I!

Although midterms is a stressful time of the year, it's still very important to take time to yourself, explore the city and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage (especially before the winter!).

New York: Our Campus

"New York is my campus, Fordham is my school". As a Fordham student this is a saying I hear and read almost daily. It is printed on the majority of Fordham's promotional material and adorns a banner hanging above the entrances to both student centers. A point of pride for Fordham, that the school's students have the unparalleled resource of New York City to aid in their higher education. Two years ago when I was a perspective student I found myself encountering this slogan frequently on Fordham advertising. I would be lying if I said I was not highly skeptical at first about Fordham students truly considering all of New York City to serve as their campus. Nevertheless, I am here to say Fordham has happily subsided all of my doubts. 

Throughout my time at Fordham thus far, many of my professors have continuously incorporated the city into their course's curriculum. Whether it is visiting the Museum of Modern Art to view Frida Kahlo's work for Spanish class or attending a lecture on dark matter at the Museum of Natural History for Astronomy, I have found myself constantly utilizing New York City as an amazing resource for my classes.  

One of my most recent educational ventures into the city involved a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for my European Art History class. My professor, Dr. Heleniak, recommended that we view the ancient Greek collection at the Met prior to writing a paper on the functionality of Greek Art. As a result, I spent a Wednesday afternoon with a fellow classmate, and my good friend Alayna Putterman, taking in the enormous collection of Greek art at the Met. 

Alayna Putterman ('18) and myself of the steps of the Met

After selecting several pieces of Greek art to write on, my friend and I spent a great deal of time wandering around the museum. The modern and contemporary art collection was my personal favorite, and I found the works of Georgia O'Keeffe and Sol LeWitt to be among some of the most memorable.

View of New York City from the view of the Met's Roof Garden

As a sophomore at Fordham University I can confidently and excitedly validate that New York is in fact my campus. Attending college in one of the greatest cities in the world provides unbelievable opportunities, and my professors have made sure that we are taking advantage of everything the five boroughs have to offer. I cannot imagine living and learning in any other city, and I am thankful everyday to call NYC my second home.