When most people think of Grand Forks, North Dakota, they picture this:
And yes, if you drive out of the city just about 10 minutes in nearly any direction, you will eventually see just that. But, what most don’t know, is that Grand Forks actually looks like this:
According to grandforksgov.com, the population of the city is over 55,000 people. it isn’t the smallest town in the world that I (dramatically) thought before coming to school here.
With over 15,000 students, the University of North Dakota, home of the Fighting Sioux, (it will never die) is located in the heart of the town. So, what is it really like to be a college student in Grand Forks?
- Well, as most already know, it is FREEZING. We are Eskimos, and our constantly chapped hands and sniffling noses can prove it.
- The town runs on hockey. Our hockey season is like your school’s football season. Welcome to the Ralph Engelstad Arena.
- There is no Chipotle. We round up the troops and make the hour trip to Fargo to satisfy our craving. And yes, it’s worth it.
- “Sorry I’m late, there was a train.” On average I spend roughly 5-8 minutes waiting for that thing to pass…and the best is when it starts reversing.
- It is almost nearly impossible to get lost driving. I’ve tried. Random left and right turns here and there usually end up getting me back to the same main road that I started on.
- No stores open until noon on Sundays. A perfectly good excuse to lie in bed all morning…I couldn’t even do my grocery shopping if I wanted to.
- There is only one target, which usually means we are bound to see on average at least three people we know every time we go.
- It is always windy. The wind is responsible for my constantly tangled hair, and my frostbite burned cheeks.
- Between one target, one shopping mall, two movie theaters, and several bars, there isn’t much more to do. So take your pick.
- And usually people pick this:
11. But we tell our parents that we're doing this:
