« Another Week | Main | Early Morning/Many Applications »
November 16, 2005
There's no Starbucks in Towanda
Am I becoming a coffee snob?
Some perspective, I grew up in Kutztown, Pennsylvania (see Webster’s for ‘rural’) and did my undergraduate studies in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania (see Webster’s for ‘very rural’). Today I traveled to the ‘Northern Tier’ (North-Central PA) which is a very different area than my normal travel territory of suburban Philadelphia. As I drove searching for my morning coffee I knew I wouldn’t find a Starbucks, Wawa or Barnes and Noble and that the Pump and Pantry would have to do. While cruising the rolling countryside on a rainy Tuesday with the low clouds covering the hilltops I was reminded that life isn’t always about getting ahead or buying the latest and hippest. Good cell coverage and an expensive cup of coffee aren’t things we need. Don’t get me wrong, I still am craving a white café mocha, but it is definitely down on the priority list. Yes, today was a day to take a step back, slow down, enjoy the scenery, and take inventory.
While slowing down I was able to realize to numerous differences between Bradford and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Differences quickly turned to examining similarities; students in both areas still stress about the SATs, ask questions about housing, majors and scholarships. Everyone from Towanda will go to the district football game on Friday night to root on their classmates just like those at North Penn.
The environment that you grow up in shapes your values and manipulates opinions and perspectives on life. The great thing about Albright (and other colleges and universities) is that these differences come together to enhance the learning and social experiences. Students from Athens, PA will educate those from Lower Merion, PA and students from The Haverford School will find common bonds with those from Wyalusing. Learning that there’s more out there than what you are familiar with makes you appreciate others and what you have and makes the world a little smaller.
So it doesn’t matter that Towanda doesn’t have a Starbucks:-)
Posted by Chris Boehm at November 16, 2005 8:19 AM
Comments
i think we should work to bring a starbucks like right across the street from albright. it would create jobs for the students as well as a place to, you know, starbucks (starbucks was used as a verb right there).
Posted by: Salaam at November 17, 2005 9:34 PM
People do make the college experience, that's why I chose a school because it was geographically and culturally different than what I'd experience in my short 18 years.
Now about Towanda - do they have a Dunkin Donuts? Because Adweek Magazine's IN and OUT - 2005/2006 listing placed Starbucks as OUT and Dunkin' Donuts as IN.
Posted by: Jeff at January 18, 2006 8:42 PM