In college, you experience a whole new level of freedom: new places, new people, and new experiences — and no parents. After just the first semester of college, you have already learned so much. So why not take the level of independence and learning to another level and another place?
I did this by taking a road trip from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts all the way to Toronto, Canada: eight and a half hours of driving. We spent four days and three nights during February in Toronto. These days will forever go down as some of my favorite memories of college, and I have only just begun.
A college road trip with friends has always been on my bucket list, and I was lucky to find three friends with the same item on their lists. So, in just a week, we threw together a trip. Through Airbnb, we found a place that was $12 per night per person by Greektown. We researched clubs, restaurants, and landmarks and bought tons of snacks.
That was the extent of our planning. Yes, we are very organized college students, obviously.
(From left to right: Nathan, Emma, me, and Matt)
With the help of music and our food provisions, we were able to survive the trip to Toronto. Coincidentally, it happened to be -10 degrees Fahrenheit that day and felt like -25 degrees Fahrenheit with windchill. We left a city that was really cold for a city that was REALLY cold.
Toronto, on first impression, looked like something out of Divergent or The Hunger Games: dystopian, modern, and cold. Also, the businesses and restaurants were extremely literal with names like Beer Store, People Hair Cut, Factory Direct 2 U, and Pizza Pizza (which was everywhere). There did not seem to be any obvious zoning with cute houses mixed in with drab industrial fixtures and businesses. The elevated highway through the city was a bit disorienting.
However, the charm of the city began to appear later in the trip. The city was highly diverse and home to some really cool shops and stores, especially in Kensington Market which could have been in San Francisco. Canadians in Toronto also have some serious nationalism because there were flags everywhere. Plus, the food was amazing: crepes, coffee, pasta, poutine, eggs benedict, etc. However, we never got to try Tim Horton’s or any maple syrup, so we will have to save that for the next trip.
Yes, as 19 year-olds and one 20 year-old, we decided to try our hand at going to bars and clubbing. After blowing a ton of money the first night, we quickly learned how expensive everything was: cover charge, coat check charge, drinks, Uber, and more. Also, knowing the type of club you want to go to is important. I was not a fan of Coda, an EDM and deep house club that seemed somewhat cultish to me. I liked Uniun, a dance club that played more mainstream rap and hip hop, a lot better. Allstar Weekend happened to be the same weekend as the one that we went on, so that added to the nightlife experience.
In the daytime, we ate brunch and spent time walking around the city and sightseeing. The CN Tower was a great place for pictures and getting a view of the city, even though it was a bit cloudy. Toronto is also home to a great zoo, a fun aquarium, and the acclaimed Royal Ontario Museum. We did not have time to try geocaching, but I imagine it would be incredible in the city.
On the way back, we stopped by Niagara Falls. If you are planning to go to Canada, this is a must-see. You don’t have to be there for very long, and it is even on the U.S.-Canada border. Niagara Falls was simply stunning. Plus, the area around Niagara caters to the tourist crowd with lots of fun shops and restaurants, including a Planet Hollywood and a Hershey’s Chocolate World.
My takeaways from the trip? Lots of amazing and awful photos, embarrassing and hilarious stories that will not be shared for the sanctity of my travel mates, knowledge about a new city, and closer bonds to my friends.
I highly recommend that everyone take a trip with their college friends, at any point in their college career. I was fortunate to have friends I was comfortable going with earlier than I anticipated, but for anyone that feels like they aren’t ready as a freshman, that’s okay. Trips can be planned to accommodate any group or any budget. It would be a shame not to take advantage of the freedom and lack of obligations that come with college.
Some tips for future travelers:
1. Use a buddy system always.
2. Plan to spend a lot but spend as little as possible.
3. Pack lots of snacks.
4. For international travelers, look into your carrier’s international data policy (Verizon has an option where it costs just $2 a day to use your regular data plan in Canada and Mexico). You will need data for driving around and looking information up.
5. Also for international travelers, do not forget to exchange your currency. Canadian dollars and US dollars are not the same thing.
6. Use Airbnb for cheap and reliable accommodations.
7. Pregame clubs.
8. When at the club, do not lose your coat check ticket. They are not sympathetic, at all.
9. Keep an eye on your friends at said clubs.
10. Bring a camera and an awesome playlist.
What are you waiting for? Adventure is out there!
P.S. Thanks to Nathan for driving 20+ hours and Emma, Matt, and Nathan for the photos and for being amazing friends travel buddies!
