What International Students Should Expect
With summer slowly coming to an end, many new students are gearing up to make the big move to Savannah. Some of these students may already have an idea of what to expect of their new home, having been there themselves. Some students, namely of the international kind, do not have the luxury as some of their other classmates of driving down to Savannah to check out the town and the locals. Instead they rely on travel books with odd metaphors and the Internet with its overly photoshopped images. Here, District provides new international students a few tips and tricks that Wikipedia and your guidebooks won’t tell you.
1. Locals
The locals love the SCAD students. They tell them so every now and then, mentioning how grateful they are at what the school has done for the community. The locals are also friendly and are happy to help whether it be pointing out directions or helping you pick up of the supplies you dropped. They may be loud but that does not mean they aren’t polite. You won’t find any Paula Dean-like trouble with them.
2. City
Nearly most of the population in Savannah is made up of the students. Come winter and summer breaks, the city is a ghost town save for the tourists. As compared to other cities, Savannah is much more slow-paced, with stores closing at around 5 in the afternoon. However Saint Patrick’s Day is entirely different story. The city is known for holding the second largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade. Throughout the week, Savannah practically becomes the Emerald City but with more booze. The water from the river and fountains are dyed green and the streets are full of beer and feathered boas. Nonetheless the city is full of charm, history and Spanish moss, which make for good tourism. When biking or driving around the city, expect to be cut off by a trolley or two.
3. Transportation
The taxi system in Savannah is very different from other cities. Instead of hailing a taxi, one usually calls them up. It is not an uncommon sight to have taxi drivers’ business cards nearly spilling out of one’s wallet. A much cheaper way of getting around the area is by taking the bus. During weekends, the SCAD Bee Line not only takes students to their classrooms but it also takes students to the shopping malls. Another great way to get around town is by bike. Students usually opt to take their bikes rather than wait in line for the bus. Not only do bikes save time but they also provide exercise, especially when pedaling up Savannah’s one and only hill near the residence halls.
4. Weather
The city is located near the Savannah River and the Atlantic Ocean, which make it a very wet city. Apart from the occasional rain, students and locals alike are faced with wet winters and humid summers. While there are hundreds of weather apps designed for your phone, they aren’t very reliable. It is possible that in one day, your outfit may range from winter to summer.
