IS THE LOCATION REALLY THAT BAD

SDonCC
Sun, 29 Mar 2015 14:14:41 +0000

Many American liberal arts colleges are going to be in somewhat remote areas. Unlike the posters above, I have a student at Grinnell and have been there a number of times.

First, the town: I never saw it as rundown. It is an older town, but it has been maintained well. Unlike some “college towns,” Grinnell itself actually is frequented by and oriented to the community residents as much, and perhaps even more than, the college population. The students go into town to the restaurants (to eat in or get take out), get supplies, go to Saint’s Rest coffee house, the new smoothy place, etc.) but not generally to party at night. Some of the restaurants are REALLY REALLY good!! This is coming from someone who lives in a sophisticated New York City suburb and often goes to NYC. (just to give you a culinary frame of reference!). There is a variety of options, even chains if you crave American junk. The town has a famous architectural gem from which it gets its name “the Jewel of the Prairie.” Take the time to see it and get a tour. There is also a town green with a gazebo. Bottom line: this is a quintessential midwestern prairie town (although technically the prairie has been overtaken by the farmland). Strangers smile at you and say hello in the streets.

The town center is literally a two block walk from campus, including a grocery store. Some of the bigger stores are a drive away (like WalMart - boo hiss, shop local! There’s another hardware / general store too!) – but it is always easy to get a ride from a friend with a car (my son borrowed friends’ cars, too). I believe that the college now has some rental cars on campus, too (not sure if this applies to internationals or not).

As to the scenery: do you like to ride bikes or take long runs? If so, then you will soon find yourself with amazing vistas: wide, open, rolling farmlands set against an endless blue sky. Depending on the time of year, the colors will be different according to what is growing on the ground. You can’t get lost, really, because all the streets are lined on a grid pattern for miles beyond. If you don’t ride a bike, then be sure to get a friend with a car to take a scenic tour – perhaps you can go up north and eat at a famous steak house as i did with my son on Family Weekend. The drive there was unbelievably gorgeous! Eating at these midwestern steakhouses is an experience all unto itself! Tons of side dishes, everyone gathers around a big grill to cook their own. There is one in Grinnell and the one I mentioned further north.

The college also maintains a prairie reserve: the Conard Environmental Reserve Area. it is a beautiful place to walk, and classes also use it. My S was never able to take a class there unfortunately. Cars are needed to get there, but i do believe the college is starting a shuttle service.
https://www.grinnell.edu/academics/areas/biology/cera

The campus itself is about two-thirds canopied by old growth trees, with squirrels scrambling all around (the squirrels seem to be a popular Grinnell reference point). The quad in the northern third has a gigantic open lawn that is used for events, for frisbee playing, etc. Then, of course, there are the sports fields beyond. The facilities at Grinnell are first-rate. Amazing campus center to eat in, hang out, have organizational meetings. New sports/ fitness center. New arts facilities. A second campus center with a theater where they show movies every weekend, have a themed dance party, etc. If current music is your thing, then check this out: http://grinnellconcerts.com/.

As with all these LACs, the schools bring an amazing number of people to give talks, perform, etc. etc. That is in addition to all the organizations and academic departments having their own events, talks, every day of the week. There are clubs for every interest, and if your interest isn’t represented, then start one! My son did!

The college has alot of financial resources and puts them to use. Many of the students are from major metropolitan areas, and yet manage to have a wonderful time. The thing about college is that it really is about spending four years with your peers, hanging out, making adventures, learning and growing together. You don’t need a city or scenery to do that!

As far as LACs go, Grinnell is among the most diverse. So, whether you want to meet people from around the world or representing different American geographies, races and ethnicities, few LACs will offer you as much opportunity as Grinnell.

As an international, you also have a unique opportunity to become more absorbed in the town life, if that is of interest. The college offers you an opportunity to be paired up with a host family. Take advantage of that! Also, all students, if they are so inclined, can volunteer or do academic-related work in town activities. Tell the naysayers that you are going to see a side of American life where yes, corn grows, but the best minds and the friendliest people come together! (cue: “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies, for amber waves of grain…”