Written by Vishakha Mathur
The University of Minnesota is a city of its own. There are always concerts to attend, parties to go to, coffee shops to try, and much more. The U of M and the Twin Cities are full of opportunities and possibilities for those who look for them. One can go hiking or camping, clubbing downtown, catch up with a friend in one of the many locally-owned coffee shops, attend one of many performances, go to an athletic event, or even just bike around one of the lakes, go on nature walks, and whatever else one's heart desires. Being close to downtown allows for students looking to be in the hub of activities to just hop on a bus and be on their way. Uptown has a little more of a sophisticated take on life. Students can walk around lakes, sip on some coffee or juice, and enjoy being outdoors.
Minnesota is beautiful at every time of the year. Summer brings out farmers' markets, Valleyfair, Minnesota State Fair, and other carnivals. The winter activities range from competitive skiiing to snowball fights. Fall brings about many apple orchards and pumpkin patches. Overall, the Twin Cities is the right blend of the fast urban life, the stable suburban life, and the simplistic rural life. No matter what a student prefers, he or she is guaranteed to find the local atmosphere accommodating to every mood and taste.