Lewisburg, Pennsylvania is located in a little pocket in the middle of the second state of our great nation. Also known as “L-burg,” “The Burg,” “Freezing Pit of Doom in Winter” and “Home” to our lovely little Bucknell population.

Yes, this lovely town seems isolated and may appear under the “rural” category in a myriad of college prep books, but it holds a special place in our hearts. We fell in love with its small town charm as freshmen, and we dread leaving its comforting fields as seniors. Class of 2019, you have come to a special place.

Despite what your judgmental, city-slicker friends at home may think, you have landed yourself in the perfect setting for a true college experience. Here’s why:

1. Getting from place to place is a breeze.
Small towns are a cinch to navigate, even for someone who is horrible with directions (that’s me). You’ll know your way around campus within the first two days and most of the town by the first week. Unlike a big city, Lewisburg really feels like home instantly, and once you get your bearings, you’ll feel 100 times more comfortable than you ever would in a smoggy city. For you freshmen without cars, the campus and town are completely walkable — you’ll never feel reliant on a motor vehicle!

2. Small town charm.
Lewisburg is the epitome of a quaint, small town. It’s filled with local cafés, boutiques and really good restaurants (check out Siam and Cherry Alley!). There are even hidden gems off the beaten path (like the Street of Shops antique market). Colorful shingled houses fill the outskirts of campus, framed by tall leafy trees. And don’t even get me started on fall.

3. Fall.

A category in itself, this is the best season. Yeah, summer is fun and winter is cool (pun intended), but you cannot beat fall at Bucknell. And as someone from the West, I can’t get enough of all the leaves.

4. The Lewisburg Freez.
You already know. I mean, this is pretty hard to beat. Only the best ice cream this side of the Susquehanna!

5. Farmers market!
Wednesdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fairground Road off the Rail Trail (see below). You heard it here first (but you probably didn’t).

6. The Buffalo Valley Rail Trail.
Like to run? Walk? Bike? Rollerblade? Segway? Prancercise? This is the place to do it. An old-railroad-turned-community-walking-path paved to perfection, shaded (in parts) by lots of trees, studded with gorgeous farmland views and completely free! Sign me up! You don’t have to! It’s free! Just show up and take a stroll. Found just off campus.

7. Safety.
Safety is never a concern here. You’re constantly surrounded by people you know and trust. The only thing you might have to worry about is the squirrels.

8. The squirrels.

They’re insane, but oh-so-entertaining. They’re also super-famous — check out their Facebook page. Here's one hoarding a bagel.

9. The overall sense of community.
You are in a “bubble” of a campus in the midst of a tight-knit community. Being so close in proximity to one another, you get to know your fellow Bucknellians very well, and throughout your four years you will explore and get to know Lewisburg too. You will attend events hosted by the town as well as the university and be welcomed at both. Small towns offer this comfort and feeling of a true home-away-from-home.

We know we live in a picturesque place. We may complain when "winter comes with biting sting," and sometimes the ruralness gets to us, but ultimately, we yearn to see those historical lights and consistently find ourselves returning for more year after year.