How a Swarthmore sophomore has spent each weekend this semester, in 60 words or fewer.
September 6-7
Saturday: Hung out with friends on the fencing team, filmed a “welcome back” video for the communications department, and tried Aria, the Mediterranean restaurant in the town of Swarthmore, for the first time.
Sunday: Reunited with high school friends in Philadelphia. Grabbed lunch from Chinatown, went book shopping, and hung out in Center City.
September 13-14
Saturday: Spent some time in Delaware, helped with beginning-of-semester clean-up for the fencing team, and attended my friend’s WSRN radio show.
Sunday: Discussed upcoming meetings for First Page Creative Writing Club, went grocery shopping, and helped plan my friend’s surprise party. Helped pull off said surprise party, and spent the rest of the night celebrating :).
September 20-21
Saturday: Had lunch with my grandfather, hung out with friends, and attended a BBQ with the rest of the fencing team. Then, partied at the Olde Club with some friends.
Sunday: Stopped at Dunkin’, then went to the Philadelphia Zoo with my friends for CollegeFest Free Museum Day. Found a new favorite brunch spot and went shopping.
September 27-28
Saturday: Ate breakfast with friends at Vicky’s. Stopped by the weekly farmers’ market. Visited Philly to watch The Long Walk. Hung out at my friend’s dorm, eating homemade focaccia. Celebrated another friend’s birthday.
Sunday: Attended a behind-the-scenes tour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art with the Japanese Department. Went to the King of Prussia’s Cheesecake Factory for a birthday party.
October 4-5
Saturday: Concluded my first debate tournament and won a speaker award. Then, attended an on-campus fencing scrimmage. Afterwards, I went to a party, ordered from Taco Bell, and had a sleepover.
Sunday: Took an early SEPTA to Lincoln Financial Field for the Eagles vs. Broncos game. Got back to campus and walked to Olive Garden with a friend for dinner.
October 11-12
This was fall break. Did fun things at home. 😀
October 18-19
Saturday: Began traveling to our first fencing tournament of the semester! Grabbed Buffalo Wild Wings with the team and hung out in the hotel in College Park, Maryland.
Sunday: Fenced! I competed in both the beginner and intermediate categories and was very happy with my performance. My teammates and I concluded the evening at Five Guys.
October 25-26
Saturday: Fenced in our second tournament! Journeyed to Philadelphia for the Women’s Event. Had a post-tournament celebration ice cream in the town of Swarthmore.
Sunday: Attended Day 2 of the tournament to help support the men’s teams. Did lots of photography and coaching. I was also responsible for our team’s Chipotle run this time around.
November 1-2
Saturday: Attended a debate tournament in New Haven, Connecticut. Participated in four rounds of British Parliamentary. Had team Pho dinner, then hung out around the area.
Sunday: Participated in one more round of debate, had lunch, then Amtraked back to Swarthmore. Met up with some friends in Chinatown, PA, for a hotpot dinner on the way back.
November 8-9
Saturday: SEPTAed to Philly, then took a quick bus to NYC. Saw Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York on Broadway with my best friend. Then, we shopped in the West Village and got dinner in Koreatown.
Sunday: Had a wonderful second day in New York. Tried new bagel shops, studied, and did a food crawl across NYC Chinatown.
November 15-16
Saturday: Attended a fencing leadership meeting, the Three Penny Opera–the work of the Production Ensemble class, and the Wind Ensemble concert. Concluded the evening at Analog Photography Club’s “Jazz and Poetry Night.”
Sunday: Rode in the campus van to upstate New York for a fencing tournament. Fenced alongside the Women’s Foil Squad. Indulged in Five Guys on the return trip.
People will often say that “college is what you make of it,” and I am a firm believer that this is absolutely the case. However, with all of the different opportunities at my disposal, I truly believe that I am able to live the best life possible at Swarthmore College. The cash-free campus extends to extracurricular activities and travel, so nearly everything that I have done during my weekends here has been covered by the school. Free transportation to Philadelphia, food in the Ville (the town of Swarthmore) included under the meal plan, and all-expense paid trips all across the East Coast have allowed me to expand my perception of the world in ways that I could not even begin to describe. In 60 words or fewer, I can only convey a fraction of what being able to experience the college life of my dreams has meant to me.
