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amelia
Student
Brownsburg, Indiana
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As a non reilgous person, could a reilgous school work for me if it checks a lot of boxes?
Hi, I am currently sliming down my college choices as I get close to my senior year. I want to be a zoo keeper and Friends University looks really good. It is affordable with the midwest exchange program and it has a great zoo science program. So has anyone gone to a chirstian school while not practing that religon? and if so did it have an impact. Im not agianst christians but it's my cup of tea and I would prefer it not to be a big part of my college experince.
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Bonnie Garza
Revenue Sales Operations VP
58
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Bonnie’s Answer
Hello Amelia, don't let the main religion of a school deter you from considering a school that suits you perfectly. Many schools, even those with religious affiliations, have diverse religious groups on campus, managed by the students themselves. These groups never impose their religious views on anyone. Listen to your heart and opt for the school that feels like the perfect match for you. Wishing you all the best!
buffet dunbar
management
1
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Columbia, South Carolina
Updated
buffet’s Answer
Yes it absolutey could work for you, you can still have your own beliefs and this allows you to also learn something new, with all things in life you do not have to adopt everything you are provided take and use what is good for you.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Amelia !
Friends University does have a Zoo Science program that many colleges do not have so I can see why you may feel conflicted about this. Well, I can give you some advice in the way of life experience as well as my own career experience. I happened to go to a secular university where any religious events were done by on-campus groups among themselves, separate from public campus events. But I will tell you that Friends University (if it's the one in Wichita, KS) is a Christian based college and you will be around a lot of spiritual things and meet many students that are of that religious path. The thing is that you must be sure that it will not present any feelings in you that will deter from your college experience. Sometimes being around spiritual people when a person is not that way can make the non-religious person feel disconnected socially, but it shouldn't be that way. It's an individual thing and you must be sure that you go to a college that you can totally enjoy and not have any preconceived worries about. Many students go to faith based colleges that are not their particular religion and do perfectly fine. Since religion is a very personal thing, you must be sure that it won't be a barrier in providing you with the educational experience you want.
A good way to test this is to plan a trip there for an orientation and spend the whole day there. Get a feel for the campus, the people - professors and students. Take it all in in person and then come to a conclusion about whether or not it will work for you. My experience with this is within my two careers when I was a social service case manager and more recently as an actor.
I've worked in four faith based places and your question really made me think. I totally enjoyed working at these places, felt very integrated and included while there, was able to do very satisfying work and felt full support. Your question has made me wonder why and it comes down to that I had already been established in my spiritual walk so any exposure to different religions made it interesting to me and being around that difference made me appreciate that people with different beliefs can work in harmony. It doesn't have to be an issue. But I felt comfortable and that's what you are going to need to experience. Only you can evaluate how you feel. But a workplace is different from a college campus. In college there is a great deal of socialization and with the University you have chosen, there will be discussions and expressions that you need to discover how you feel about. Give it a try by spending a day there. That's the one way I can think of that will give you something tangible to consider.
A lot of times faith based places accept people but many times if a person isn't religious, they do feel funny being around it, so verify this with hands on experience and come to a decision. If you find that you do not like the school after a couple of semesters, you can always transfer to a different college. In life we have to stretch our boundaries, but we have to also know our limits.
I hope that this decision may become easier for you and I wish you all the best !
Friends University does have a Zoo Science program that many colleges do not have so I can see why you may feel conflicted about this. Well, I can give you some advice in the way of life experience as well as my own career experience. I happened to go to a secular university where any religious events were done by on-campus groups among themselves, separate from public campus events. But I will tell you that Friends University (if it's the one in Wichita, KS) is a Christian based college and you will be around a lot of spiritual things and meet many students that are of that religious path. The thing is that you must be sure that it will not present any feelings in you that will deter from your college experience. Sometimes being around spiritual people when a person is not that way can make the non-religious person feel disconnected socially, but it shouldn't be that way. It's an individual thing and you must be sure that you go to a college that you can totally enjoy and not have any preconceived worries about. Many students go to faith based colleges that are not their particular religion and do perfectly fine. Since religion is a very personal thing, you must be sure that it won't be a barrier in providing you with the educational experience you want.
A good way to test this is to plan a trip there for an orientation and spend the whole day there. Get a feel for the campus, the people - professors and students. Take it all in in person and then come to a conclusion about whether or not it will work for you. My experience with this is within my two careers when I was a social service case manager and more recently as an actor.
I've worked in four faith based places and your question really made me think. I totally enjoyed working at these places, felt very integrated and included while there, was able to do very satisfying work and felt full support. Your question has made me wonder why and it comes down to that I had already been established in my spiritual walk so any exposure to different religions made it interesting to me and being around that difference made me appreciate that people with different beliefs can work in harmony. It doesn't have to be an issue. But I felt comfortable and that's what you are going to need to experience. Only you can evaluate how you feel. But a workplace is different from a college campus. In college there is a great deal of socialization and with the University you have chosen, there will be discussions and expressions that you need to discover how you feel about. Give it a try by spending a day there. That's the one way I can think of that will give you something tangible to consider.
A lot of times faith based places accept people but many times if a person isn't religious, they do feel funny being around it, so verify this with hands on experience and come to a decision. If you find that you do not like the school after a couple of semesters, you can always transfer to a different college. In life we have to stretch our boundaries, but we have to also know our limits.
I hope that this decision may become easier for you and I wish you all the best !
thank you for the advice! this helped me put more thought into it and I think firends will be a good chocie for me.
amelia
That's wonderful ! I am happy to help and wish you a fabulous college experience !
Michelle M.
amy best
1
Answer
Wilmington, North Carolina
Updated
amy’s Answer
I think you would do well with whatever you choose based on your question. You appear to have an open mind to new environments and that is a huge plus in your favor! Many Christian colleges do require a minimum participation in certain things you may not particularly be familiar with or agree with. However, I think the environment would be beneficial in many ways. While it may not be your first choice of environment ; most Christians i know are not stuffy or judgmental, there is a chance a few others may be the kind that makes youwant to roll your eyes! That could occur anywhere though, and I would not rule out a Christian school in order to reach your goal.
thanks for the input! it does reqiure a theolgoy class which i think could be super interesting since i don't know a whole lot.
amelia