Alex Friccione
Class: 2011
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At lunch one day, I sat down with a group of students. As we fell into conversation, I realized the student sitting next to me, Sherry Daniel, was editor-in-chief of Columns, the student newspaper. I had written for my high school paper, and by the time I stopped by the dessert bar, I had signed on to write restaurant reviews. I was happy to add newspaper writing to my current list of activities, which includes competing on the field hockey team, working in the Triangle Bookstore on campus, and signing up for a College trip to Italy in the spring. I’ve been able to get involved in a lot of different things here.

Destination learning

I wasn’t looking for a women’s college or a Catholic college when I first visited College of Notre Dame. A friend from my hometown in Massachusetts—and a student at Johns Hopkins—sold me on Baltimore as a great place to go to college, and I decided to look at several Baltimore schools.

I fell in love with the diversity and the city. I liked that the Baltimore Museum of Art has free admission—a bonus for an art history major. Looking back three years ago, I wouldn’t have guessed that would be my major. But a trip to Italy in 2004 gave me an even deeper appreciation for the richness of Italian Renaissance art. Notre Dame also has pre-museum studies, so if I wanted to be a curator I could go that route.

So while most of my friends at their large, division one high school applied to University of Massachusetts, I wanted nothing to do with it. My high school was so big. It was set up more like a business. You get in and get out. And that was fine for high school, but this is where it really counts for life. At Notre Dame, I love the small environment. I can really connect with all the professors.

During my first semester, I enrolled in a drawing class, where I enjoy working with conté crayons and charcoal. I like the looser material that I can smudge around.

Relaxing in Baltimore

When I started at Notre Dame, I left my car home because my parents wanted me to experience campus life. But, in between field hockey games and my work in the bookstore, I turn to friends with cars and take advantage of the Baltimore area.

During the week I’ll pick one day and be relaxed. I spend time in Towson, stop by Johns Hopkins, or go downtown to Little Italy for dinner. And my restaurant reviews for Columns take me off-campus; I recently savored Afghan cuisine at The Helmand.

"Elegantly dressed customers come for exotic flavors, colorful dishes and the warm pleasing atmosphere,” I wrote in Columns. “Dishes like their kabuli and dwopizia give new meaning to lamb, making your mouth water at the sweet and spicy taste.” My verdict? Five stars.