Penn State brings academically competent, socially adept individuals together to parse through the front end of adulthood. My initial immersion had me convinced that Penn State was my Mecca. I had a solid group of best friends, my classes were interesting, I met the first smart guy I had ever spoken to, I lost 15 pounds, my Twitter game was on fire. Fast-forward three years and 10 pounds to me eating a full pizza surrounded by my own filth. Penn State's fresh appeal had gone stale. My apartment building felt (and smelled) like a nursing home for college students. The residents embodied a different kind of assisted living: one catered to by entitlement and parental funding. The residents were fully capable of washing themselves, but they didn't feel the need to, hence the smell. Penn State's hygiene and dress standard is one step above full-on caveman. Showers are few and far between typically due to heavy courseloads, alcoholism, gym rat lifestyles or what I like to call State-induced apathy, brought on by the mind-numbing monotony that is State College. The undead student body's weekday uniform varies from athletic attire to pajama wear, complete with 5k t-shirts from ten years ago, lululemons and basketball shorts (yes, people still wear those). On the weekend you can find countless flannel-clad, white converse wearing frat girls joined by their team jersey sporting coeds. Central Pennsylvania isn't exactly known for its vibrant culture, so students entertain themselves by blacking out in backyards, blacking out on porches and blacking out at bars.
New York City joins people from all different backgrounds to explore opportunities and struggle to pay rent. New Yorkers ooze this sense of motivation and purpose. It's in the way they walk, dress, talk. In my short time here I've made my bed more than I did collectively throughout my 3 years at Penn State. The cavalcade of art exhibits and movie showings and community events makes it impossible to remain uninspired. After romanticizing the city for years, my infatuation only grows as I settle into my life here. Leaving Penn State for the semester has energized me and given me some perspective on my school. There is a lot to love about Penn State: it's an excellent academic institution and its Greek life, clubs and athletics provide a bubble for camaraderie and fun. But, from this distance, I can't say I will miss the prevailing boozy, bougie culture.
New York City joins people from all different backgrounds to explore opportunities and struggle to pay rent. New Yorkers ooze this sense of motivation and purpose. It's in the way they walk, dress, talk. In my short time here I've made my bed more than I did collectively throughout my 3 years at Penn State. The cavalcade of art exhibits and movie showings and community events makes it impossible to remain uninspired. After romanticizing the city for years, my infatuation only grows as I settle into my life here. Leaving Penn State for the semester has energized me and given me some perspective on my school. There is a lot to love about Penn State: it's an excellent academic institution and its Greek life, clubs and athletics provide a bubble for camaraderie and fun. But, from this distance, I can't say I will miss the prevailing boozy, bougie culture.