I’ve always considered Temple like a family to me – a big, intertwined web filled with lots of diversity and lots of Saxby’s coffee.
To venture outside of Temple’s campus and onto another would be like attending an awkward dinner party with the other big universities in PA. Villanova would personify that rich, uppity aunt who wears pearls and talks about her son’s successes at prep school. St. Joe’s would be the distant cousin who almost didn’t show up because they were forgotten about by everyone else in the family. And, of course, Penn State would stumble in late as the drunk uncle who loves football and loves making inappropriate comments before the first course has even been served.
So, when my best friend, Allie, invited me and other girls from Temple to the Happy Valley for Halloween, we were a little hesitant to leave Temple’s warm embrace (yes, even in the northeast’s bitter chill, I’ll still call it warm because that’s how much I love it).
If you’re like I was, and haven’t traveled outside of Philly to experience another campus, I encourage you to do so. And, when I say to experience it, I mean really experience it. Like, cram-six-girls-into-a-two-person-dorm-room experience it.
But, even if you don’t get the opportunity yourself, I’m here to tell you how it went at PSU and the 6 main differences I noticed.
Before I start, I’ll add a disclaimer that Penn State does do some stuff better than us – which, as Temple’s biggest enthusiast, it feels almost blasphemous to say that – but some stuff we just can’t beat. (TBH I just missed Richie’s).
1. Wawa (or lack thereof)
I didn’t realized how truly *blessed* we are to have Wawas in Philly instead of Sheetz. While Temple’s campus is comprised of mainly 7/11s, it warms my heart to know that a Sizzli can be snatched somewhere in the Philadelphia area.
2. Nature
While being on the grounds of a city campus, I forgot how much grass there can be at a place like Penn State. And mountains. But mainly grass. I almost forgot what it looked like.
3. Frat houses (and frat boys)
The Penn State frat houses are literal mansions rather than rowhomes. They’re pretty impressive, but the people themselves aren’t so great. I’d opt for a concrete basement and boys who were less angry any day.
4. School spirit
Fight. Fight. Fight. For the cherry in the white. See? That’s cute. It’s reminiscent of a nice little nursery rhyme. WE ARE!!!!! Now, that’s a little terrifying and aggressive. Especially when it’s screamed in your face by angry drunk boy mentioned in #3 who spilled his drink on you by accident at a party. Chill, Penn State.
5. Campus lighting
Another thing that’s scary? It’s dark. So dark. I forgot how bright our city campus was.
6. Parties
Penn State parties go harder and there are a lot more of them, but I couldn’t help to think… how do you ever get studying done around here? Temple is a healthy mix of fun-college-experience and still being able to grab coffee and take the Subway on Sunday to study in Rittenhouse. Temple gives me the ability to feel like a college student by night, but feel like the I classy intellectual that I really am during the day.
Don’t get me wrong, I had fun at PSU, and there were some fun things that I probably couldn’t have experienced at Temple, but the Philadelphian in me just has to say there’s no place like the 215.
Put it this way: PSU is like that really, really cute guy you had a fun time with, but he wasn’t too bright so you don’t see a future with him. I’ll give Penn State a complimentary “let’s do this again!” while knowing we’re more of a one-night kind of thing.