<p>Philly connection is easy. Train station was closer to my D’s dorm than the dining hall. She and her friends went into Philly for shopping/dinner once or twice a month. A big group would go celebrate birthdays, usually sampling one ethnic restaurant or another – everything from Thai to Ethiopian. She also went to the Philly Museum of Art (of Rocky fame) twice this semester, once to see the special Dali exhibit and again to see a specfic painting in the European collection for her Intro to Western Art paper. She hasn’t made it to the Rodin Museum yet, but I expect she will next semester as she is signed up for some kind of Modern Art class.</p>
<p>Other kids go to the alternative rock clubs. Others go into the big shows at the arena, like the recent U2 tour. Or, to the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center. Train is convenient enough for most of those as well as to the airport. Also, Swarthmore runs a downtown Philly van on weekend nights which save train fare.</p>
<p>She’s also taken a weekend trip to NYC for fun and a day trip to D.C. for a press conference/lobbying day on the Sudan issue. </p>
<p>Different kids get out and around varying amounts, depending on their interests.</p>