On Sept. 20, 3:00 p.m., 20 freshmen Fordham students, including myself, met outside McGinley Center. No one knew each other’s names or backgrounds, or who was from Rose Hill or Lincoln Center. But what we did know was that we would all be leaving Fordham’s campus to spend a weekend together at Fordham’s retreat house in Goshen, N.Y.
These 19 students and I were leaving the hustle and bustle of the Bronx to attend Fresh-Vision, a religious retreat for freshmen students from Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.
In Fresh-Vision, the freshmen discuss their one-month transition into college and what fears, hopes and desires college life has brought to them thus far. The students and retreat leaders connect with each other by sharing stories and offering advice, creating new friendships and unforgettable memories.
One of the greatest things about Fordham is Campus Ministry. The program runs the retreats, and students can sign up for any of them on Campus Ministry’s website. As I was signing up for Fresh-Vision, I began to have the same worries that I later found out the other freshmen retreatants also had.
This would be my first Fordham retreat, and I did not know what to expect. I had been on retreats in high school, but I was nervous that this one would not be as great as the others.
I was also timid because I only knew one other person who signed up. Nevertheless, I signed up and quickly learned that this retreat could not be compared to any other.
Many people think of retreats as a weekend meant for crying and sharing your darkest secrets, but this is not so.
Yes, I am not going to lie; there were some tears, but crying was not the focus of this retreat. On Fresh-Vision, my fellow students and I got to experience a break from reality and enter into a weekend of self-reflection.
People of all different religions and beliefs attended Fresh-Vision, which helped us learn from each other. I quickly found that the Fordham community is accepting. The retreat house is located in a quiet and peaceful place that is surrounded by trees and natural beauty. This atmosphere allowed the students to reflect on how precious life is.
“Retreats are a great opportunity to meet other freshmen who share similar interests. Although retreats are religiously rooted, most are focused on self reflection and one’s personal faith,” Drew Casey, FCRH ’17, said of the retreat.
The retreat had a great impact on me, for it taught me how to open up to complete strangers and respect those with opposing religious views.
Erin Biggins, FCRH ’17, was also affected by the retreat. “I learned that although us freshmen barely knew each other, it seemed effortless to create strong bonds in such a short time,” Biggins said. “The retreat truly united us together through compassion, prayer and spirit.”
“Other freshmen should go on future retreats to experience the invigorating power of prayer and reflection, as well as to get to know the new members of your ‘Ramily,’” Biggins continued. “The retreat gave me the opportunity to express myself and learn more about my fellow freshmen,” Biggins said.
I strongly encourage other freshmen to escape from Fordham’s chaotic campus and attend future retreats.
It will positively impact your Fordham experience.
Gabrielle McGovern, FCRH ’17, is a communication and media studies major from Branchburg, N.J.
