Kenyon College
- Local Atmosphere

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Located miles from the nearest shopping mall, Kenyon College provides a unique atmosphere. Gambier is a single street with shops surrounded by cornfields and Amish communities, which leads Kenyon students to balk when others say their college town is small. The “downtown” is a single block long and features a market, deli, bookstore, coffee shop, post office, bar, and a restaurant. Far from being divided from the community, Kenyon students regularly interact with professors and other Gambier residents at these locales.

Students tend to stay on campus after arriving in the fall, creating what is lovingly known as the “Kenyon Bubble.” There are plenty of student clubs and organizations to fit any interest, and these clubs run events that are open to the general public. Local attractions—such as art exhibits, plays, apple picking, and hiking—keep students in the area. The only downside to this is the culture shock of returning home over breaks to places where television and travel dominate the social scene. On the other hand, for those who sometimes need a taste of the city life, Columbus is an hour away. There, students find shopping, movie theaters, good restaurants, and a little reprieve from “life on the hill." The Kenyon community is best for those who want to spend their time focused on schooling and friends rather than outside attractions, as its remote locale can make it difficult for the city-dweller to feel at home.

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Local Atmosphere at Kenyon College

hoorahboorah11

'15

Biology

2.7

C+

Dull

Essentially, you come to this school knowing that it is in the middle of cornfields. This is both a positive and a negative. It is a negative in that on occasion, students do feel suffocated byWhen the time comes for leaving campus to go home, most students are both excited and ready! However, being on a college campus that is not in the midst of distractions can be a wonderful quality. It brings about unique experiences among students and places more attention on academics which is important.

Nov 19, 2011

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Local Atmosphere at Kenyon College

PurpleWing

'15

English

4.6

A

Isolated but Charming

Gambier isn't really a small town. It's more of a village, really, and it's surrounded by the college. The residents are extremely polite, however, and I always feel safe here. It's charming, and for those who do not like the isolation, there are shuttles into the town of Mt. Vernon for movies and shopping.

Nov 06, 2011

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Local Atmosphere at Kenyon College

livermores

'12

Spanish Language and Literature

5.0

A+

Community Living

Gambier exists in a symbiotic relationship with Kenyon; the town is part of the campus. Professors are visible, out and about with their families. With the Amish coming every Saturday to sell their goods, Gambier offers a taste of disappearing small-town Ohio.

Sep 06, 2011

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Photos of Kenyon College's Local Atmosphere

Sunset Point

Photo by irwinc

Sunset Point This is a look at Sunset Point.

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Photo by irwinc

Old Kenyon

Photo by theta12

Old Kenyon A look at the upperclass dorms.

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Photo by theta12

Church of the Holy Spirit

Photo by Kenyon1

Church of the Holy Spirit A look at the Church of the Holy Spirit.

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Photo by Kenyon1

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