The Doyle Engaging Difference Program - Georgetown University

Doyle Global Dialogue gave me a platform to reflect on important themes of how religion, society, and culture interact. I had the amazing opportunity to spend my semester abroad at the main campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.. It was also my first time in the United States.

D.C. is a vibrant place with many activities. Coming to the main campus in late August and especially in the fall semester was the best time to spend in D.C.. I was blessed with the opportunity to take part in Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, and more.

Celebrating different occasions such as Halloween was an amazing experience. Before Halloween day, streets and neighborhoods were decorated with wonderful decorations, like pumpkins, which exhibited the main themes of Halloween. I always wanted to be part of Halloween, especially where it was celebrated and was part of the culture. I was able to do so here! The most fun part was to look for the most creatively decorated houses right outside the university. The neighborhood was very fun and unique, especially during Halloween. Each house was different from the others in color and design. This reflects how societies are built and how different factors such as religion and culture play an important role in their development. Halloween was decorated with different horror themes in displays according to a myth to ward off evil. I could be wrong, but some locals told me about this myth. 

My friend and I stayed close to the campus for Thanksgiving. Many families around the neighborhood decorated their homes for large gatherings and food. This seemed like a very special tradition in the United States and is observed nationally. My friend and I celebrated it together by having food and going out and doing different activities. We explored the neighboring states of Virginia and Maryland, which was amazing, especially exploring the National Harbor, museums, and the amazing views of Christmas trees around that time. Religion showed up in many ways, including the architecture of buildings and monuments. Healy Hall and the Dahlgren Chapel of The Sacred Heart have an amazing view, too. The altar at Dahlgren Chapel of The Sacred Heart has beautiful paintings, and it is, in itself, reflective of the way religion and prayers are observed. Moreover, attending a Christmas wedding was mesmerizing because of the white-themed decor, and it felt just like witnessing it in a movie, as I had never been to a Christmas wedding before.

Moreover, I observed that people from different countries and backgrounds participated in different cultural activities. Being part of such a vibrant culture gave me a sense of belonging as I enjoyed these events and could connect to them in any way, even just by being part of a gathering and understanding their culture. This included a formal dinner event organized by the Muslim Student Association to have dinner in a majlis kind of setting and engage with each other, especially about the act of charity and donations for victims of war. Moreover, there were others there, which further showed that people from different cultures are willing to learn about each other’s cultures. As another example, Garba nights are organized by the Hindu Student Association where people come together followed by an introduction to their practice, and dance while celebrating with food.

I am grateful for my semester abroad. I was able to explore many places in Washington D.C. and also travel to other cities and states, including New York, Chicago, and Texas. Each state is different in its own way and with its own stories. New York has a lot of historical places to visit, including the memorial downtown and the World Trade Center. In Washington D.C., I was blessed with the opportunity to explore the neighborhood next to the university, including places like the Tudor Place, which was the huge villa of a family that lived in the early days of the neighborhood’s construction. It was that old. Being there gave me a sense of the way families that had landlords were and had slaves. Along with this, I visited cafes and restaurants, and it gave city vibes, even in the neighborhood of Georgetown, which was away from the city setting.

My semester abroad has been a great experience with much exploration of different perspectives, the opportunity to meet people and visit places, including museums, the Capitol Building, and the White House, outside campus. This experience gave me exposure to different cultures on the main campus, along with the diverse cuisines of those cultures.