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As the eternal Florida beach bum, trading in my
flip-flops and shorts for a down coat and gloves
was not a decision I made overnight. Philadelphia
and all of its hustle and bustle seemed a world
away from the lazy tourist community I grew up in
on the east coast of Florida. But what makes this
place so different from my hometown is also what
makes it so attractive.
Philly is a gold mine for the college student. I
have the entire city as my campus. From its 50 universities
spread across five counties, to the hopping nightlife,
to the museums, theatres and don’t forget the
historical attractions – this is perfect spot
to hang your hat for four years and beyond.
Singer Elton John captured the essence of the city
best with his song entitled “Philadelphia Freedom.”
Philly allows you the liberty to custom design your
time here, whatever your tastes and interests. It
stands by itself when compared to other big cities.
While Philly offers a cutting-edge cosmopolitan
feel, there is also that down-to-earth, welcoming
element that so many other cities just can’t
offer. As a result, it’s especially easy to
find your niche here in the city where freedom was
born.
 While
patriotism is strong in the city where the United
States grew its roots, Philadelphia offers a dynamic
cultural experience for students to become a part
of. Center city’s Chinatown reflects a rich
Asian culture and a wide array of delicious dishes.
The Italian Market, a favorite among hungry budget-conscious
college students, is a great place to find inexpensive
and authentic Italian food. The colleges and universities
in Philadelphia mirror the city’s diversety
as it with all creeds, cultures and religions represented
in their halls. The diverseness of the city forces
you to think outside of your paradigm, and prepares
you for the growing global community that has become
today’s work force. At any Philly college you
may dine in the cafeteria with a student from Denmark,
attend an authentic African tribal dance performance
or experience the festivities at the annual Puerto
Rican Day Parade. The strong multi-cultural presence
in Philly adds another reason to love the city.
With a wealth of academic opportunities for all
students, its no surprise Philly’s college
community offers a little bit of everything. From
the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, to the
Jesuit tradition found at St. Joseph’s University,
to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, it’s
easy for students to find a college that meets their
unique needs. There is also a definite feel of community
among the city’s many colleges as each school
welcomes students from neighboring campuses for
summer student, lectures and sporting events.
While I was skeptical about moving up North and
adjusting to a new style of life, there is no easier
place to find your niche than in Philadelphia. I
will always be a Floridian at heart, but I can’t
help but feel at home in Philadelphia. It is the
perfect place for the student looking for a college
city with an embracing, exciting and unique college
experience. A sense of adventure, an inquisitive
mind, and a readiness to meet a lot of interesting
people are all you need to succeed in Philadelphia.
To quote Sir Elton John, I am “living and breathing
this Philadelphia freedom,” and I could not
imagine attending college anywhere else!
Allison McCabe
Chestnut Hill College
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