University of South Florida

From OSU Wiki

Student Experiences at USF

Jacob Twain I had a great experience in Tampa at University of South Florida. My experience was that USF was all it was billed to be. Nice weather, hot women in swimsuits and a laid back atmosphere. It really opened my eyes to living outside of Oregon. I was a happy person all the time because the weather was so nice in comparison to Oregon weather. I think when I am older I would like to living somewhere sunny. I found the academics to be fairly easy in comparison to the difficulty level I have experienced at OSU. I had a nice apartment experience at Avalon Heights. It came fully furnished, and had a great pool. It gave me the feeling I was on Spring Break the entire time I was there. At the pool was where I met a lot of people. In terms of going out and partying I finally got I got it down to a science by the time I left. We all went to Y-bor on Thursday a night, which is an area in downtown Tampa that has a multiple clubs and bars. There was a party bus that left Greek row at ten. I might add you only have to be 18 to get into clubs and bars, but 21 to drink. On Fridays we went to Tias. They had great drink specials, a live band, a dj with dance floor and full service bar. Then on Saturdays we went to a place that had 'sink or swim' which is all you could drink for 15 dollars.

The campus has 45,000 students. However, it doesn't seem anymore crowded then OSU. It is much larger in area covered though. It took me 20 minutes to walk to my classes from my apartment that was just off campus. They also have buses that go all over campus called the 'bull runner.' Many students who go to USF actually commute to school. Finding a parking spot was very hard, which is why I walked to class everyday. Also the parking enforcement there is insane, so beware. USF has a beautiful campus. It is covered with lush greenery including palm trees, which were my favorite. There is even a miniature beach area with sand next to this lake that is on campus; I wish I had gotten more pictures.

Overall it was a great time. The people I met down their were extremely nice and hospitable. I learned a lot about myself living on my own. I thought that Corvallis was away from home, but you aren't truly away from home until you are away from all your comfort zones. It forced me to grow up and be out my comfort zone a lot.