Dickinson vs Rhodes

Whistlingal
Sun, 17 Apr 2022 07:23:09 +0000

Son is at Rhodes - just graduating - and is a continent away! We didn’t see him for 16 months during Covid. However, neither did lots of parents who were a lot closer. Yes flights are a pain and he has done a fair amount of travelling in the States and very often - more often than not - had to lay-over. But he’s young. I travelled around the States on the Greyhound bus. He with his flights and Ubers, even with lay-overs is living the life of Reilly

Yes it is lovely to be able to hop in the car and maybe drive only 5 hours but when you can’t do that they have to learn to sort it out. Covid has brought out resilence in my son. His three house-mates pulled out just before move in date to go back home and he had to deal with the landlord and find three more housemates.

What I am trying to say is ‘distance should not be a factor’. The best place for that child is the factor.

As regards Memphis - as a parent visiting we loved Memphis - so much to do. Though never did get to Graceland. ‘A house stuck in the seventies’ as someone described it and as I lived through the seventies I’m not sure I want to re-visit the shag pile and avocado bathrooms .

Son really didn’t utilise Memphis as much as we or even he thought he would. His internship was through the semester at Memphis Opera and his (ex) girlfriend pick up lots of paid work as a nanny/babysister. Do these opportunities exist in a smaller city? Don’t know.

Regarding crime yes Memphis has a bad rep. But would you stop your child going to NYC or Chicago or Boston? They could be sitting in a random Dunkin Donuts travelling from A to B and get shot. Personal safety is ‘personal’. People must make that decision for themselves. How people feel in different places is as different as people. If you feel anxious about a place then that can rub off onto others but how would you feel if they chose the alternative to appease you and then was just never ‘quite happy’? I don’t think this would happen here as it is obvious that they like both and can’t decide but you see my point.

If they choose Rhodes the community will ensure that they get the best out of themselves. I’m sure Dickenson will too. Son was sceptical about the ‘core’ first year seminars but ended up standing in for the professor and assisting. Absolutely loved them. Nearly chose one of the subjects as a minor then at the last minute changed to English. He went to the US to get a ‘liberal arts degree’ as he didn’t know what he wanted to study here in Britain (system very different) and he surely did explore lots of different things. He got want he wanted and is now moving onto grad school in Boston. Rhodes got him there. We are very happy with what Rhodes provided both in money and education.