When I was looking at colleges, religious affiliation wasn't something I took too heavily into consideration. Sure, I didn't want to go to a school with strict religious practices, especially if I didn't subscribe to that particular sect of beliefs, however all other schools were pretty much fair game.

Villanova ended up being the school that checked all the boxes for the criteria I did care about, and it also happens to be an Augustinian Catholic University.

Up until this year, I had always attended public school. Separation of church and state had always kept religious influence from being a topic of conversation. Even some texts with heavily religious symbolism could only be discussed lightly, for fear of breaching what was appropriate, or simply what was allowed.

Because of this, I lacked a religious background that I have noted some of my peers here at Villanova already possessed. Those who did discuss religion within their classrooms, in general, had a better understanding of all world religions. They understood how these religions interacted, formed, and shaped various cultures. Although these topics were not altogether avoided in my education, there was only so much teachers were able to teach for fear of offending in the process, a completely fair concern to have.

When I first came to Villanova, I was unenthused about the theology requirement: one lower level and one upper level theology course. Although this didn't seem like much, having no religious education background I feared I would be far behind the other students.

I did not find that to be the case. For one, I have since realized that just because Villanova is a Catholic institution, that does not mean that all students in attendance are Catholic as well. Sure, not being Catholic may place me in the minority, but never in such a way that I have felt out of place.

I have enjoyed my theology courses. Religion is a powerful force that has shaped thoughts, beliefs, and cultures, for thousands of years, and I have really enjoyed instilling this within my education. Saint Augustine, too, has incredible philosophical thoughts to be explored, which I had never been previously exposed to.

The Augustinian Catholic values at Villanova extend beyond the classroom. They incite respect, community, and caring, among a bounty of other positive values. When I went on a break trip to do service, we did so bearing Catholic Social Teaching in mind. These are all concepts I would not have been exposed to at another university.

So, I don't hate my theology courses. I don't hate learning about religion - a novel practice for me. I like learning about the values this type of education instills.

I may not be Catholic, but I am pretty thankful I go to an Augustinian Catholic University.