Those attending a Seton Hall men’s basketball game during spring break were treated
to a taste of this semester’s Catholic Studies study abroad trip to Italy — Foundations
of Christian Culture — as the celebrated Flag Man, Joseph Mosco, proudly ran with
the Seton Hall flag not at the Rock, but at the Temple of Concordia at the Valley
of Temples in Sicily. A video of Seton Hall’s visit to this amazing site was streamed
at the game.
“Since this brief but exciting view of Catholic Studies’ study abroad program, many
Setonians have been curious about study abroad opportunities at Seton Hall,” said
Ines A. Murzaku, Ph.D., professor, Department of Religion, director, Catholic Studies Program, and founding chair, Department of Catholic Studies. “Our study of the building blocks of Western culture, through this course, culminated
in an inspiring travel opportunity, through which we not only explored the history
of various sites of interest throughout Italy but also immersed ourselves in the culture
of Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and Rome.”
To provide deep insight into this study abroad experience, the Department of Catholic
Studies invited Diana Malenkova, B.S. ’23, M.S. ’25, to share her reflections. Malenkova,
an accomplished pianist, majored in biology in her undergraduate studies, with minors
in psychology and chemistry. She is currently pursuing graduate studies in biology,
on the neuroscience track, in the Department of Biological Sciences.
“Having participated in the study abroad course and trip to Italy, in the Footsteps
of the Saints in 2023, Malenkova was eager for the opportunity to join the study abroad
program again this year through Foundations of Christian Culture. Her reflections
share the interplay between the culture of Seton Hall and the culture of the areas
we visited, showing that our program encourages and enables paradigm-shifting experiences
among our students,” Murzaku shared.
Malenkova’s reflection follows:
Seton Hall’s mission statement mentions the importance of a diverse, collaborative
environment that focuses on academic and ethical development. My travel companions
and I stayed true to this mission throughout the trip. Foremost, we exhibited academic
inquiry and curiosity everywhere we traveled. Everyone took notes during the guided
tours, was attentive and respectful to the guides, and was not afraid to ask questions.
During our free time, many from our group explored museums and art galleries, which
demonstrated the group’s dedication to appreciating Italy’s rich culture and beauty.
Every person we encountered along the way was treated as family, whether it was a
bus driver, a tour guide, a priest, or a stranger. Many students downloaded Duolingo
and attempted to converse with the locals in Italian. By doing so, we all developed
a deeper appreciation for another culture, showed a sense of curiosity and established
connections with other people. Consequently, Seton Hall was presented as an honorable
institution that fosters the growth of individuals who are respectful, authentic and
appreciative of the world around them.
During this study abroad trip, I appreciated Seton Hall’s commitment to the inclusion
and unity of people of all faiths, races, ages, ethnicities and academic majors. It
is important to note that although this was a class focused on the foundations of
Christianity and Catholicism, many students came from diverse backgrounds and held
different religious beliefs. Despite this, no individual was singled out or left alone
throughout the course. Instead, different religious views and backgrounds provided
opportunities for dialogue, with students attempting to understand the differences
between various religions and emphasizing their similarities.
There was a degree of inclusion in other areas as well, including food. For example,
there were people with allergies or specific dietary preferences present when we tried
various dishes. While it was the professors and guides who initially inquired about
allergies and coordinated the menu with the restaurants and cafés, students began
to look out for each other and keep an eye on the ingredients, as well. It was gratifying
to observe the unity and safe environment the students created among themselves. I
learned that Seton Hall exists to participate in the collaborative and cumulative
pursuit of truth through an ongoing interaction between faith and reason. This is
precisely what makes Seton Hall unique.
Although I am a Russian Orthodox Christian, this Catholic study abroad class helped
me understand that these two branches of Christianity are much more similar than the
public perceives. We read the same prayers, revere the same religious relics, share
common saints and have the same understanding of the Eucharist. Even if there are
slight modifications in certain traditions (such as the use of icons in churches,
or the way churches are decorated) and the way we conduct Mass (slight variation in
prayers and Mass length), the fundamental belief remains in the same Trinity and the
same God. My visit to Italy provided me with the opportunity to see the beautiful,
complex architecture of Catholic cathedrals and basilicas, which completely left me
in awe because they could not have been constructed without God’s assistance. Something
so beautiful and complex could not have been accomplished by people alone. From the
Mass to the architecture, everything about those churches reflected God’s glory. I
was deeply moved by the idea that God directly guided people to create something so
magnificent that would honor Him and His creations. In general, this religious dialogue
has made me realize that God is like a multifaceted diamond — each religion sees a
different face to a diamond, but in the end, it is still the same, beautiful stone.
Information on future study abroad opportunities with the Department of Catholic Studies will be announced in the coming months.
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