LaKia R. Thomas

Heaven forbid, for some bizarre reason I had to do another semester before I could graduate, without question I would head back to the Philadelphia campus. Ah, the city of brotherly love!!! Oh how I miss being there! Dedicating an entire year studying at Temple University while living in loft style housing with other messiah students did some much needed pruning and refining of my character, faith walk, and intellect.

Reluctant to spend more than five seconds in the “hood” when I first arrived, my parents raised eyebrows, sent me sharp looks and asked for the hundredth time, “Are you really sure you want to be here?” Even for their city upbringing and fast paced lifestyles, dropping your child off on North Broad Street at first glance seemed like a bad idea. Philadelphia was no Washington, DC—no glamorized metro, no Georgetown, Capitol Hill or Monument.
There my parents and I were looking to conceptualize my reason for coming to the city, seeking to find similarities from home to reassure me that things would be alright, instead of grasping to the one truth we as Christians rehearse so much; the fact the God will never leave us nor forsake us. Little did I know, God was about to began a good work in me. He was about to do the very best in me at the place where I wanted to be the least. By the time my parents got ready to leave, most of their questions and fears were subdued. Welcome weekend at the Philadelphia campus provides orientation for both students and parents about safety precautions and guidelines. Students meet with city police, Temple University police, and administration from the Philly campus. Then, almost immediately you began to submerge yourself in urban culture with service projects and tours of the city.


Note: If you’re going to live as a Temple student, you must committ and buy a sweatshirt!
When we weren’t serving the community, we attended class. Most students who come to the Philly campus are Broadcasting, Film or Journalism majors who have the opportunity to land stellar internships while gaining more exposure and experience in their field. Three out of five of my Temple Professors were adjunct and also worked at the Philadelphia Inquirer or local new station. Although I love my Georgetown, shopping in Philadelphia is just as great. I became no stranger to Walnut Street, Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square District. Temple is also a great school for socialization, as it is surrounded by areas colleges as LaSalle, Drexel and UPENN. I think all messiah students should go at least once.
Needless to say, my junior year became my best year of college.