Loyola University Chicago - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

It is next to impossible to become bored in Chicago unless you try really, really hard. Chicago is the heart and soul of the Midwest. The Second City pulses with the combined energy of an entire region. The first thing a student must know is that Chicago is likely much larger than anywhere he or she has ever lived before. As intimidating as this idea can be, Chicago manages to remain friendly and inviting to those unused to its hustle and bustle. Because many Chicagoans have migrated to the city from other places, most are willing to help outsiders find their way around the many highlights and lowlights of the place they call home.

One of the things that makes Chicago so accommodating to students is that, in many ways, it is just one big college town. In addition to Loyola, Chicago features DePaul University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois in Chicago, Northwestern, Columbia College, Illinois Institute of Technology, and many other schools. Odds are that many of the people you see walking the streets are enrolled in one university or other. This overall community of youthful exuberance makes for an exciting city life. Street festivals happen so often during the summertime it seems like the city is hosting one big, never-ending party. The Chicago Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, Venetian Nights, and many other fairs attract thousands to the city. Winter is the time for the thriving European community to shine, with Oktoberfest and the Kristkindlemakt highlighting a surprisingly eventful time of year.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Get a travel guide. Even in four... Get a travel guide. Even in four years, you probably won’t see it all. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Remember to take some classes... Remember to take some classes downtown at the Water Tower Campus. It’s located on some of the most expensive real estate in the city of Chicago, directly adjacent to the Magnificent Mile, and the views from the classrooms are spectacular. It also gets you out into the heart of the city; many Lake Shore Campus students have the tendency to become too parochial, remaining in Rogers Park nstead of getting out to see the sights. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Chicago has so many neighborhoods!... Chicago has so many neighborhoods! It’s really up to you to decide which ones you like. Rogers Park specifically has a more residential feel to it, and you can get a really nice apartment for relatively cheap rent. I would avoid the Jarvis Red Line stop after dark. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Simply, Chicago rocks. That was... Simply, Chicago rocks. That was the reason I came to Loyola—to live in a huge city, one that keeps the same Midwestern traditions I grew up with, and one I didn’t feel too intimidated in. As such, there are plenty of other universities around—DePaul, the University of Chicago, and Northwestern, most notably, but there are smaller schools like the University of Illinois-Chicago, as well. Any real Loyola student hits up the Cubs games as often as possible. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

There is something for everyone in... There is something for everyone in Chicago. There are other colleges and universities around, but they don’t interact to that great of an extent. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Chicago:

• While Chicago is known as a great baseball town, its two teams have had a difficult time becoming world champions. The White Sox finally won in 2005, their first World Series win since 1917, but the Cubs’ World Series drought stretches to 97 years.

• Chicagoans are split on how their town received its title of the “Windy City.” Some chalk it up to the blustery weather blown in off of Lake Michigan, but others prefer the story about the propensity of local politicians to be full of hot air.

• Chicago is home to 2,836,659 people, making it the third most populous in America behind Los Angeles and New York City.

• Standing at 1,450 feet and 110 stories high, Chicago’s Sears Tower (soon to be Willis Tower) is the tallest building in North America.

• The Art Institute of Chicago holds the largest collection of impressionist paintings outside of Paris, including a large selection of Monets and Gauguins.

Famous People from Chicago:
Jane Addams
John Belushi
Andre Braugher
Dick Butkus
Al Capone
Chris Chelios
Michael Crichton
John Cusack
Clarence Darrow
Walt Disney
Louis Farrakhan
Chris Farley
Harrison Ford
Benny Goodman
George Halas
Dorothy Hamill
Herbie Hancock
Rickey Henderson
Marilu Henner
Hugh Hefner
Kenny Lofton
Bernie Mac
David Mamet
Curtis Mayfield
Jenny McCarthy
Mr. T
Bill Murray
“Baby Face” Nelson
Eliot Ness
Bob Newhart (Loyola alum)
Aidan Quinn
Lou Rawls
Pat Sajak
Shel Silverstein
Gene Siskel
Mel Torme
Robert Townsend
Antoine Walker
Raquel Welch
George Wendt
Kanye West
Robin Williams
Frank Lloyd Wright

Local Slang:
“Cheesborger, cheesborger” – What to order at Billy Goat Tavern
Cheeseheads – Wisconsinites
Da Coach, Iron Mike – Famous Bears coach Mike Ditka
The Dan Ryan – The section of I 90/94 that runs through city
Downstate – Anywhere in Illinois south of Chicago
The El – The famous elevated train system
The Eisenhower Expressway, the Ike – I-290 Expressway
The Friendly Confines – Wrigley Field
The Loop – Chicago’s downtown area, surrounded by the El
LSD – Lake Shore Drive
The Magnificent Mile – Michigan Avenue south of LSD and north of the Chicago River
Metra – Railroad that helps suburbanites get in and out
MJ – Bulls icon Michael Jordan
Second City, Chi-town – Nicknames for Chicago
Stoop – Stairs in front of a house
Sweetness – Bears legend Walter Payton
The Taste – The Taste of Chicago, a large summertime festival

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