From New Jersey to UMass

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When Gavin Defina toured UMass Amherst for the first time, the weather was miserable. He was forced to brave a frigid 15 degree chill and relentless wind tunnels. Nevertheless — undeterred by the gloomy weather — Gavin instantly fell in love with campus. Now a sophomore double majoring in geography and sustainability community development, his appreciation for UMass and all it has to offer remains unwavering — come rain or shine.

One aspect of UMass Amherst that enticed Gavin was its diverse population and cultural opportunities. Growing up half-Jewish in Middletown, New Jersey, a very Catholic town, he had few Jewish peers. “Only two or three students in my [high school] graduating class were Jewish,” he shared. Gavin aspired to travel out of state and attend a university where he could meet more diverse people. Upon starting his freshman year at UMass, he was elated to meet fellow Jewish students in his Residential Academic Program. “They brought me to some events they held, like Shabbat dinners and other holidays, and I realized this was a whole background I had never explored before,” Gavin shared. “It’s something I didn’t expect to be a part of my university experience, but it’s been a lot of fun.” 

Joining clubs provided Gavin with further opportunities to get involved in the Jewish community. He is a member of the UMass Hillel, a Jewish campus life organization, as well as JewMass, a Jewish student union. What’s more, being a part of organizations such as these encouraged him to leave his comfort zone and make new friends. “If you join something that you’re interested in, then you’ll meet other people who are interested in the same thing. That’s how you can create connections.”

Above all, Gavin feels that he can succeed at UMass because of its inclusive, enriching environment. “For me, coming to UMass Amherst meant actually being able to speak my opinions,” he divulged. “People are so receptive and inclusive here.” Not only has being a student at UMass allowed Gavin to feel more accepted, but it also challenges him to be a better person. “I’ve learned a lot about inclusive language and understanding our biases as individuals, and about being a better community member in general.”