Coptic Community Reflective Essay

Superior Essays
Because I am a Coptic Orthodox Christian, my religion and culture have always been intertwined. However, I used to view my education as apart from them, as there was only one other Copt in my high school and there were none in my elementary or middle school. When I began this semester at NJIT, I realized that I had been missing something for the past thirteen years of my schooling. In just a matter of weeks, I found myself at home within the Coptic community here. I have recognized a few of its main purposes, all of which are evident in the modes and styles of communication: to develop a strong support network, to cultivate a sense of family, and to ease the transition for new students. Over the past several decades, the presence of Coptic …show more content…
This area sets the grounds for communication among Copts and is known to belong to us – our headquarters. One of the students I interviewed, Chris, sees the campus center lounge area as a “haven for the Copts” (“Senior Interview”). No matter what time of day, there will always be at least one person sitting there. Having this home base or this safe space facilitates the support network that is essential to the identity of the group. This is possible through the in-person communication that takes place among members, who provide each other with important information and feedback (Swales 221). One example of this is homework help, of which I have been on both the giving and the receiving end. In addition, while planning my schedule for the spring semester, I received help from a student one year older than me, who advised me about which classes I should take and which professors I should avoid. This was extremely helpful to me, as I had been uncertain about my schedule prior to seeking …show more content…
Although I personally do not know how to play the game, I see the spark in some people’s eyes when someone asks “Who wants to play Spades?” The concept of lexis is very apparent in this game; expressions like “she didn’t cut” or “go nil” are foreign to those who do not understand gameplay. Even though the rules are complex, players are eager to continue long games, and may even skip classes to do so. Evidently, Spades has a significant effect on those that play, especially with regards to communication. I have witnessed individuals that are typically quiet and reserved become very outspoken and engaged in a game. Furthermore, because the game requires communication and teamwork, it facilitates interaction between group members that previously would not have talked to each other, and it may even serve as the foundation for new friendships. I was a little surprised that this competitive card game is so vital to promoting discourse, but it truly fosters kinship within the Coptic

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