GO!ing to the Dominican Republic

This spring break, I had the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic on a Global Outreach mission trip. Global Outreach, or GO!, is a student-run organization at Fordham that sponsors domestic and international trips that allow students to become better aware of social, economic, political and environmental injustice. These projects range from learning about women's rights and immersing in the culture of Nicaragua, to participating in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans. With over 30 different locations, there is definitely a project for everyone and many students participate in a GO! trip during their four years here.

My team walking towards the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración in Santiago, DR

After six months of weekly meetings, bake sales and community building, my team of twelve students finally departed for the Dominican Republic. We volunteered with the Joan Rose Foundation in Esperanza, DR, which provides lessons, meals and a safe haven for the children of the impoverished community. We were able to witness the extreme racism in the country that Haitian immigrants experience, as well as the living conditions in bateys, which are communities of sugar cane workers. Many families in the area live off of $0.90 a day, so it was extremely eye-opening to witness their lifestyle. The Joan Rose Foundation was such a loving community and we were able to make many new friendships with the children. My GO! experience was nothing less than life-changing, and I would definitely encourage everyone to apply for a trip!

My team at the Joan Rose Foundation

Club Spotlight: The Fordham Hot Notes

           What is the simplest, but most important piece of advice I can give to an incoming college freshman? Three words that freshman will hopefully hear dozens of times during their first few weeks at school? Join a club! The easiest way to make connections within your campus community and to make lasting friendships is to get involved with something you care about, and Fordham has TONS of opportunities to do this!

            For me, the choice was very easy; having always loved to sing, I knew that I wanted to continue doing this in college, especially in an a cappella group, so I auditioned for the Fordham Hot Notes, Fordham’s coed jazz a cappella group. The Hot Notes are one of five a cappella groups associated with Fordham University. There is also an all-male group, the Ramblers, an all-female group, the Satin Dolls, and two other co-ed groups, the B-sides (based at the Rose Hill Campus) and the F#’s (based at Lincoln Center).

            

This is a group shot of all of us from our Winter Concert last semester!
(*we aren't the "Hot" Notes for nothing, of course!)

While the Hot Notes are the newest to the a cappella scene, only official recognized as a club last year, we have established ourselves as the fiercest and smoothest group on campus (…okay, maybe I’m a little biased). As a jazz ensemble, we perform mostly jazz arrangements, but also work in contemporary repertoire in addition to classic jazz standards.  Last semester, we even did a jazz salute to Queen Bey with our version of “Drunk in Love”! We’ve also had some awesome opportunities to perform in different places over the past few semesters, including the International Championship of College A Cappella (otherwise known as the ICCAs—think Pitch Perfect!), and the New York City Jazz Festival at Lincoln Center.

This is from the reception after the New York City Jazz Festival Concert!

Here is another group shot of us, also from Jazz at Lincoln Center, with our clinician, Duane Davis!

                       

Although I didn’t join the Hot Notes until the second semester of my freshman year, I immediately realized that not only was I going to be able to keep singing in college, but that I had just gained a membership to the quirkiest, most talented, and most loving family; even as a timid freshman, the group made me feel like one of their own from the very beginning! Now, as a junior and a member of the group’s Executive Board, I know I am privileged to work with such a group of musicians, and proud to call them some of my closest friends!

For more information about the Hot Notes, and upcoming events and performances, check out our Facebook page or look us up on YouTube! 

Fordham Foodies

Our late afternoon snack from Palombo's

One of Fordham's identifying features is of course the fact that it is located alongside Arthur Ave (aka the best Little Italy has to offer). However, food can get costly and so most students choose to venture into its heart when parents visit. For those of us working on a budget, there are still some awesome places on Arthur Ave, and just off it, to get some grade-A Fordham grub. Here are a few of my favorites!

Palombo's is ram-renowned for its desserts. They have quite the array, ranging in traditional Italian delicacies to the more run-of-the-mill brownies and cakes. It's one of the more affordable places on Arthur especially since they offer students a 10-15% discount off their final orders! Just last week, I caught up with my sister who also attends Fordham, over coffee and cake. With outdoor seating, it is the perfect place for a late afternoon meet up.

Simon's sweet potato fries in all their greasy glory

Next on my list is Bellini's: just off Arthur but just as amazing as its better-located fellow eateries. A particular favorite for students there is the Penne Alla Vodka slice, which is essentially your typical pizza amped up with pasta (ACTUAL PASTA) sprinkled on top. Yes: it is indeed as amazing as it sounds.

Just a block or two over from Bellini's is Simon's Deli, home to the best milkshakes the Bronx has to offer. Options include your classic chocolate and vanilla but can get as inventive as Cap'n Crunch or Vanilla Apple Pie. It doesn't hurt that they also have some of the best burgers around, not to mention their sweet potato fries.

Life lesson from Pugsley's: "Pizza is good, but love is it"

Last on my list is the heart and soul of Fordham students' dining experience: Pugsley's. The act of dining there is quite the experience. The walls are adorned with random pieces of art that seem to encompass the quirky spirit that students so associate with their college experience. It is quite literally, the stuff of sitcom legends, our very own MacLaren's Pub. Though it is closed during the summer, it is one of the first places students line up at to reunite in the early fall over a slice of pizza or their legendary chicken roll.

These are just a few of the Fordham hot spots for eating off campus. In order to find out more, you'll just have to adventure yourself!