TL/DR –
The author shares her experiences at university in Phoenix, noting a stark contrast between the Tempe campus and the Downtown Phoenix campus. She explains that while the Tempe campus is an enclosed bubble of youth, offering every comfort, it feels inauthentic and overwhelming. In contrast, the Downtown Phoenix campus, despite its flaws, offers a sense of freedom and a realistic exposure to the challenges of the outside world.
Phoenix native reminisces on city’s transformation
Reflecting on my childhood in Phoenix, the allure of downtown Phoenix always captivated me. As a fourth-grader, my class and I took regular YMCA field trips via the light rail from Encanto to Van Buren Street. The hustle and bustle of the bustling Downtown Phoenix campus was a lively contrast to the city I knew as a child.
An engulfing university life in Tempe campus
Fast forward to my college years, I found myself entrenched in the sprawling university life at the Tempe campus, complete with a five-story library tower, a nine-acre recreational field, and a plethora of dining options. A glaring caveat, however, was the insularity of the student population.
Initially, the youthful ambiance and camaraderie made the educational journey enjoyable. However, the prevalence of my age group became stifling as I progressed into my senior year. I felt engulfed by my peers, especially the bombardment of freshers, which felt overwhelming at times.
Experiencing the student culture at ASU
My first ASU football game was a complete immersion into the zealous student culture of the Tempe campus. The palpable pride, the cheering crowds, and the celebratory fireworks all epitomized the student life. Yet, amidst the fervor, I realized how my college existence was confined within this bubble, separate from the realities of the world outside.
Rediscovering the charm of Downtown Phoenix
Recently, my work with the State Press led me back to Downtown Phoenix, a 50-minute commute from the Tempe campus. Here, the city’s dynamic spirit came alive with grad students, families and the buzzing cityscape, a stark contrast to the student-dominated Tempe campus. The Downtown Phoenix campus, despite its shortcomings like limited coffee joints and basement library with erratic Wi-Fi, had a charm of its own. It offered an authentic experience that mirrored city life, with the Burton Barr Library as a reflection of the city’s essence.
While the city has its own set of imperfections, life in Phoenix promises a smoother transition into the ‘real world’ compared to the student-dominated life at the Tempe campus.
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