Life at Columbia

cerberus08
Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:42:16 +0000

To add to the posts about the social scene at Columbia:

1. It’s as centric as you want it to be, people aren’t going to be ‘cliquey’ if you’re open and willing to make friends–fundamental rule of human nature. In my experience, Columbia kids have been terrific (quirky, but I love it). The campus is a bubble, but in no way isolating–so going downtown isn’t an issue

2) Students do go out to bars or clubs, but I get the impression that bars are more common because they’re cheaper and there’s a bunch of them around campus. There’s plenty to do besides drink though.

3) Although Columbia is not like a rural campus at all, I completely disagree with the notion that “students are on campus to get their business done”. The campus was a very core part of my life–even if it just meant lying in the grass or stting on the steps. It’s in a very student-friendly, self sufficient neighbourhood, and the campus culture is pretty strong, although unique. In fact, I’ve complained that I don’t get off campus enough–and that’s not because I locked myself in my dorm room, it’s because there was enough to do on and around campus that I didn’t feel compelled to go downtown for entertainment.