The spring semester Philadelphia Campus students arrived on Saturday, ready to start their urban adventure. Parents and families pulled their cars onto Broad St. right in front of the campus and the Residence Life staff swarmed to help unload.
After lunch, the students had their first meeting together - who are we and what are we getting ourselves into? Meanwhile, the parents met with Timothy Peterson, the campus director, to answer their questions and provide details about the typical Philadelphia Campus experience. I love watching parents’ shoulders relax and the nerves decrease during this session.
Then, it was off to campus tours to see the amazing facilities at Temple University, all within easy walking distance of our campus. Unfortunately, the TECH Center, with its 700 computers, specialized labs for video editing, graphic design and music composition and 24-hour Starbucks was closed on Saturday so students had to wait until Monday to check it out.
Then, the city exploration began. We started with a safety session led by one of Temple’s police officers. For those students who are not familiar with the small ways in which to keep yourself safe (such as how to carry your bags, where to look when you’re walking, what neighborhoods to travel in), this is a valuable lesson in city smarts.
Next, the Philadelphia Campus staff took groups of students on their first SEPTA subway outing. We answered questions about how to read the street signs, how to get on the subway in the right direction and other important traveling tips. Most students rely on public transportation when they study in Philadelphia because it is a hassle to have a car. It is a great way to feel connected to the people of Philadelphia.
The destination is always exciting - good food. I took a group to Vietnam Restaurant and we talked a lot about all of the dishes with lemongrass. If you aren’t familiar with lemongrass, as many of these students weren’t, I’d suggest shopping for it at Reading Terminal Market. Eating with chopsticks was a successful experience for almost everyone.
Then it was home in time to watch the Eagles game at Ryan’s apartment. (Ryan Wilson is the Director of Community Life). It was a disappointing loss, but a classic Philadelphia moment.
On Sunday, students attended local churches and got a feel for the variety of cultures that exist in our neighborhood. Worshipping in a new way can be eye-opening. They continued their worship experience at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Monday was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and our students participated by cleaning up an empty lot and renovating a local business. After napping and showering, it was time to get down to business and learn about the logistics of learning and taking classes at Temple University. The students got a taste of Dr. Peterson’s teaching style when he inspired them with a discussion on academic integrity.
Then it was off to sleep (maybe) in preparation for class to begin on Tuesday. The semester is officially underway. Students are coming in my office everyday to say how much they love it here already. I’ve had parents call me to say how pleased they are with the program and the stories they’re hearing from their children. This promises to be a great semester!