A week ago I got a job offer for the summer at Penn. It's great news because I'm getting paid (flashbacks to my unpaid internship) and I already have somewhere to live near campus. Unfortunately, I don't get to return to my beautiful California and see any of my family or high school friends. But I'm not going to let that deter me from having a great summer in a city that I already love. Here are some reasons why staying on campus isn't the worst thing in the world:
You're familiar with the environment.
Although it may not be my hometown, I can honestly say Philadelphia has become my second home. I remember when I interned last summer in Los Angeles, I was completely freaked out by the newness of everything. I was essentially by myself in the middle of a strange city. But I've been living in Philly for the past two years now and can easily navigate my way around through either SEPTA or just walking. Getting around school and the city is not as big of a deal anymore.
But there's still a lot left to explore.
One of the things I was excited about when I first got into Penn was that we're in the middle of a major city, filled with art, culture, food, and so much more. However, in the middle of class, work, and extracurricular activities, it's pretty much impossible to find time to get out of the Penn bubble. Being here for the summer will allow me to see a lot more of the city (especially restaurants) that I haven't been able to visit because of other commitments. It's especially awesome because...
Friends will probably be around!
If you're staying at school for the summer, it's more than likely that a bunch of your friends will be sticking around too. Hit up that Insta-worthy brunch place that you always talked about but never actually went to. Have a conversation that doesn't revolve around that essay you have due tomorrow or some sort of club drama. Or catch up with friends you never get to see. I know I'm excited to be able to see my Little more often than once a month.
You get everyone's free stuff.
People who are going back home or working in other cities can't afford to take all of their stuff with them or keep it in storage. By staying at school, you have the advantage of having a place to put everything. The amount of free food that I have gotten is actually astounding and will probably sustain me throughout the entire summer. Probably not the greatest reason to stay at school for the summer, but do take advantage of these free and highly discounted goods.
