Such enthusiasm may sound strange coming from a Jewish student at a Jesuit university, but Fordham’s religious identity is quickly becoming one of my favorite things about this school.
The truth is, Fordham’s Jesuit identity helps me feel more in touch with my own religion.
Probably the most significant impact of the Jesuit influence is the campus-wide core curriculum. Professors are always promising, “You’ll hate it while you’re here, but you’re guaranteed to appreciate it once you graduate.” I don’t think I’ll be waiting until 2019 to thank Fordham for the core. At times I do feel as though my core classes detract from my major classes. I can’t say that I enjoy spending hours trying to grasp an obscure philosophical concept when I really need to study for a biology test. But in the long run, I love that I have to challenge myself and take classes I would never have picked on my own. Nothing is more gratifying than connecting an ethical discussion on genetic enhancement in philosophy class to a lecture on gene therapy in psychology. And my theology class has done anything but impose Catholicism on me. If anything, I’ve learned more about my own faith and become increasingly motivativated to practice religion more consistently. Especially as a science major, I am learning to appreciate these opportunities to branch out and become a more well-rounded member of society.
Until recently, I had shown no interest in many of campus ministry’s programs, seeing as my faith often doesn’t quite match our Jesuit identity. But my last minute decision to attend an interfaith retreat was definitely worthwhile. I didn’t realize how much I needed the 24-hour excursion until I spontaneously left campus for the weekend. Fordham’s scenic retreat location provided a perfect break from the fast-paced nature of the city and was a great spot for reflection. Leaving for a retreat with seven fellow students I wasn’t close with was definitely outside of my comfort zone. But somewhere between playing hide-and-seek, cooking dinner as a group, and joining in on a candle-lit night prayer, I found that Fordham’s emphasis on faith is exactly what I need to embody while completing my studies
As strange as it may sound, I love Fordham’s religious identity and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.
