Every year it has always been interesting to listen to the new wave of freshmen talk
about their first impressions of Birmingham. It’s always a mixed bag of reactions, typically
regarding the humidity, overabundance of churches and fantastic coffee shops. As of late it
seems that the majority of students only seem to leave campus for a few select reasons.
If you want groceries, you go to Target, Walmart, or Trader Joes. If you want to eat out,
you probably go to a place you and your friends have already tried. If you’re looking for a fun
night off campus, it will most likely be at El Sol. Samford students seem to get stuck in a rut, and
I think they need to get out more.
Birmingham has quickly become a developing southern hotspot with a lot to offer. For
students of any major, exploring a growing city can be an exciting and opportune way to make
connections and get out of your comfort zone.
Due to its rich cultural background, Birmingham has proven itself to be a perfect location
for new organizations and startups. Aside from being a hotspot for internship opportunities,
unique social events seem to keep popping up across the city. Even our city’s music scene has
seen some action lately. At the beginning of the semester, the Birmingham based band The
Brummies performed on campus before Mat Kearney.
If you feel like you need a break from campus but don’t feel like retreating into the city
life; parks and trails are ideal for hiking, climbing and mountain biking. This will be a perfect
way to enjoy the fall weather (if it ever gets here).
The unfortunate effect of the “Samford Bubble” seems to be a tendency to stay limited to
a comfort zone. Some easy ways to get connected to our exciting city are right here on our
campus. Service cadres can be an easy way to explore Birmingham while collecting convocation
credits, and some student organizations provide opportunities to attend off campus events.
Possibly the best way to break out of the “Samford Bubble” is to skip El Sol next time,
and explore parts unknown.
