Sailing into the fall: Maxwell Balanevsky, BS ’22

Undergraduate | Sep 18, 2018 | admin

Have you noticed the new faces on campus this fall? Students comprising the Gabelli School Class of 2022 bring with them a range experiences and notable extracurricular roles, from polyglots to chess champions.

Today we’re talking with Maxwell Balanevsky, who attends classes on the Lincoln Center campus.

What is your hometown?

I grew up in Buffalo, NY. For my most of my life my family has lived in the suburbs, but just a few months ago we moved into the city of Buffalo.

Why did you choose the Gabelli School?

Without a doubt, there were two main pull factors that brought me to Fordham and the Gabelli School. The first factor is that I went to a Jesuit high school, and I wanted that Jesuit sense of familiarity in college. The second factor is that there is really no better place in the world to study and practice global business than New York City.

How did you spend your summer?

I spent this summer, as I have spent many summers, racing sail boats. This summer I sailed nearly every day in numerous types of boats and I was lucky enough to travel to Athens, Greece, to compete in the 2018 International Lightning Class Youth World Championships. When I wasn’t competing in or practicing sailing, I was coaching sailing.

What are you looking forward to most about your freshman year?

I absolutely cannot wait to explore Manhattan. I have always loved the diversity of the city and I’m truly looking forward to getting to know some of the hidden gems that New York has to offer. Additionally, I am hoping to make Fordham’s sailing team, and if I do, I am sure that it will be a blast.

What do you hope to do after you graduate? 

I am not 100 percent certain what I would like to do post grad. I have a great interest in working in investment banking, but I would also be interested in law school. I want to keep an open mind and see what doors I can open.

Fun fact:

Along with coaching sailing, I coach ski racing. The kids that I coach are eight- to 10-year-old boys and girls. They’re a handful, but are always fun and keep me on my toes.