While You're There

NYU Washington D.C. has compiled a list of houses of worship and relevant organizations. You can find these in the "Identity-Based Resources" of their Student Site. There is also a designated space in the Academic Center that can be reserved for prayer and meditation. 

Giving students the opportunity to celebrate their religious holidays is a crucial component of NYU Washington, DC's commitment to IDBE. To learn about all the holidays happening during your time abroad, we recommend you to check out The Diversity Awareness Partnership’s calendar of observances and holidays celebrated across 25 traditions (PDF). 

Because Ramadan is coinciding with our academic calendar this year, we wanted to provide additional resources on how you can worship and observe fast throughout it. Here’s a little of what you can expect:

• Event times will be moved closer to sunset so students observing can enjoy catered foods
• Events that occur during sunset will have platters of dates provided so that observing students have the option to break fast as they normally would
• NYU Washington, DC will work with Lang Lab! for the Ramadan Fast-A-Thon, an event that allows students to learn more about the holy month of Ramadan by fasting a day and having an Iftar meal together 

Nearby mosques:

• Masjid Muhammad (1.2 miles away)
• American Fazl Mosque (1.7 miles away)
• Islamic Center of Washington, DC (2 miles away)

Stay tuned for more celebration-specific information!

Students observing a religious holiday during regularly scheduled class time are entitled to miss class without any penalty to their grade. This is for the holiday only and does not include the days of travel that may come before and/or after the holiday. Information regarding absences due to religious observance must be provided at least seven days before the date(s) in question.

Dietary Considerations: There are various food options within walking distance of the NYU facilities. These include kosher, halal, vegetarian, and vegan options. The NYU Washington D.C. Student Site offers recommendations on dining in the city here.

You may also want to reflect on the role religion and/or spirituality play in your life now, and what your expectations or needs are for your time away. Questions to consider:

• Do you have a strong connection and/or sense of belonging to a religious or spiritual group?
• Do you have a prayer or meditation space?
• Do you go to certain places for dietary needs?
• Do you celebrate certain holidays? Are these holidays you would want to celebrate during study away?

For a full list of courses offered at NYU Washington DC please see the course list website. 

• Globalizing Social Activism: Sustainable Development in Urban Areas
• Identities in American Politics in the 21st Century
• Politics of Latin America
• Politics of the Near and Middle East 
• Politics of Public Policy
  

NYU DC’s IDBE Council is a formal action-oriented body based comprised of the Site Director, student life representatives, academic representatives, and students. The primary purpose of this committee is to advance diversity and inclusion efforts at NYU DC.

NYU DC’s prayer and meditation space is open to all students, staff, and lecturers with varying spiritual and/or personal practices.  

Intersections is an NYU Washington, DC initiative that creates opportunities for students to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others while studying in DC. The initiative consists of the following programs:

Intersections Orientation

An introductory workshop during Welcome Week for all NYU Washington, DC students to learn about the Intersections initiative and programs; develop a shared understanding of language related to identity and oppression; and begin to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others within the context of their new environments.

Intersections Paths

Exploration groups organized by NYU Washington, DC students to develop a deeper understanding around a particular interest area / personal identity over the course of the semester. Spring 2017 paths included an Arts & Self-Expression path, DC Reacts path, Global Foodies path, and Healthy Lifestyle path! 

Intersections Affinity Groups 

Affinity groups organized by NYU Washington, DC students to process and amplify their experiences in DC through the lens of a salient social identity. Spring 2017 groups included a Black Student Association, LGBTQ group, People of Color group, and Women’s Empowerment group!

Intersections Stories 

Opportunities for NYU Washington, DC students to reflect on and share their experiences in Washington, DC with a larger audience. 

Intersections Dialogues

Periodic workshops organized by NYU Washington, DC staff for NYU Washington, DC students to expand their capacities to engage in dialogue around identity and oppression.

Intersections Playlists

Crowd-sourced playlists from NYU Washington, DC students that focus on various themes. Listen to the playlists on the NYU Washington, DC Spotify account!