Taylor

Like many who came to Iowa despite the whispers of John Deere fanatics and more corn than you’d know what to do with, I worried those people were right.  Now I’ve never been a city girl but I am definitely not a country girl.  In fact, when you say country, I imagine a large white house, equipped with pillars, a wrap around porch, and a ton of green grass. (Think Parent Trap). There may even be a butler who brings lemonade. I do NOT think of corn, the smell of manure, dirt, dirt, gravel roads, corn, dirt and cattle.

But that’s what I discovered when I ventured to one of my floor mates hometowns.  After the shedding of tears, an hour of complaining and a few obscenities, I found myself up to my hips at the top of a pile of corn. And I am not exaggerating in the least.  I actually climbed a pile of corn. Man, my mother would be proud.

So if you were concerned you were/would be attending school in the middle of nowhere, stop now.  Because I’ve been to the middle of nowhere and it’s definitely not Iowa City.

It’s Albert City. The only thing that saved the weekend was knowing someone there, which meant knowing her friends. One of whom plays football so I didn’t have to go without a good game.  I was happy to cheer on the Rebels for a couple hours.

So despite the shock and having to sleep in a room with dead animals on the wall, I had a good time.  Iowa really opens up doors to network and explore. I certainly never thought I’d go to a farm but I did. And maybe I’ll be bringing them to New York in the spring so if you like to travel, that’s something to consider. The dorms are certainly the place to be! 🙂

Now I’ve been on campus for almost a week now. I arrived early for the Iowa Edge program, which was a huge help. I met so many wonderful adults and students who genuinely care about my future. In fact, two of those students are sleeping on my futon at this very moment. They’ve really been worn out.  Probably because of all the awesome activities Iowa offers the freshman when they get to campus.

The view from the field.

From watching movies in the residence hall lounges to Hawkeye Spirit Night, where we were able to tie dye a free Hawkeye shirt, its been non-stop class bonding. Even the dorm rooms are a social hub to meet new people. I leave my door open all the time and girls just stop in and say hello. I don’t know if it’s the excitement of a new school year or that “Iowa nice” thing I’ve heard about, but either way, it’s never been easier to meet people.  Or Herky the Hawk for that matter, who I’ve had the honor of meeting twice now. Although in all the excitement, I keep forgetting to snap a picture!

But I’ll remember eventually, because it’s one of the things to do on the list of “47 Things You Should Do at Iowa.” I’ve already gotten lost by taking the wrong cambus. Did you know that Blue goes to Burge and Red goes to Reinow? Of course you did. Well I turned it into an adventure and explored the Becker Communications building, which turned out to be where my first-year seminar will be held.

And last night was the kick-off event for On Iowa!

I had been pretty nervous about attending such a large event. I was immediately overwhelmed by the number of people there and I was practically hyperventilating because I didn’t know any of the people around me. But by the time the ice breakers were over I had hugged a complete stranger, made a new friend (exchange of cell numbers and everything) and was able to reconnect with some of the kids I had met last month at my orientation. Being from Connecticut, I had never seen the Iowa Marching Band or learned the cheers, but they taught them to the whole crowd, and I am proud to say I can now spell I-O-W-A with every part of my body.

If you weren’t there, then you really  missed out.  But lucky for you I did record some key moments that I enjoyed (including the spectacular Iowa Fight song finish with fireworks). Click here to watch “Kinnick-in It”

Not to mention Bingo Night. My friends and I bolted from the stadium to the IMU to be the first people there, and with good reason. The free hot dogs and ice cream bar, coupled with the chance to win awesome prizes like body pillows and movie baskets, were a huge hit! Before I knew it it was midnight. What a blast!!