University of South Carolina - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Located in the heart of Columbia, USC delights many students with the mix of Southern charm on campus and the fast pace of the urban setting. The campus grounds are scattered with gorgeous greenery, secluded gardens, and beautiful buildings. USC also harbors a vast array of historical treasures. On campus, students are able to visit McKissick Museum, which features rotating exhibits highlighting Southern culture. Additionally, many of the buildings on central campus pre-date the Civil War and are now used as upperclassman apartments, faculty office buildings, and even classrooms. Being in the South and smack in the middle of the “Bible Belt,” there is a lot of conservative thinking in the city of Columbia; however, USC’s campus is moderate in its views, with both extremes present. Many are involved in the political scene, and students make their voices heard on issues such as budget cuts, educational funding, the war in Iraq, and state and national elections.

A short drive from the University of South Carolina rewards students with Columbia's recreational staples such as the Riverbanks Zoo, the State Museum, and Lake Murray, all favorites among students. If you’re willing to travel a bit, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Mountains are all within a few hours. The Southern atmosphere, the urban setting, and the variety of activities in the area combine to make the atmosphere at USC ideal for many students.
 

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

This is the South. The biggest... This is the South. The biggest adjustment is a cultural one. The people are incredibly warm and friendly (almost suspiciously so to an outsider), and you have to deal with the eccentricities and the sometimes backwards thinking. It is pretty much politically conservative and religious, although it’s less so on campus. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Columbia is a great place. It’s a... Columbia is a great place. It’s a decent-sized city, but it’s still really friendly with lots of green space. I think both Benedict and Allen University are in Columbia also, but they are on the other side of town. There are lots of great places in Columbia for everybody. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Columbia, South Carolina is a... Columbia, South Carolina is a small city in comparison to many other college towns, but it has its pluses. The area has many places to relax and chill out, such as coffee shops and dance clubs. I highly recommend having an awareness of certain hangouts. Underage college students should be careful around Five Points and the Vista if they opt to drink or surround themselves with people that may drink. What to visit? Columbia is only an hour and a half away from Charleston and the Blue Ridge Mountains. So, any sort of atmosphere you’d like is a short distance away if you can’t find it in Columbia. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Columbia is a fairly nice-sized... Columbia is a fairly nice-sized city. Here, you have the feel of a big city, but with the location of the campus, you are away from most of the business that comes along with that. I know of at least seven different colleges located here, but I’m sure there are more, so there are plenty of college students running around. Here, we have a few malls, a really nice zoo, the state museum, and a river, along with other things to keep you busy. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

We are very close to a military... We are very close to a military base that has a basic-training base for the army, so there are a lot of military people around. We have a big tech school near us called Midlands Tech College, and there are a few other smaller campuses such as Benedict College nearby. There is a zoo close by, too. You have to hit the city of Charleston and Myrtle Beach. The cities are awesome, very fun, and about two hours away. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Columbia:
• Columbia is home to the first free-standing American college library, the South Caroliniana Library (1840).
• Located on the outskirts of Columbia, many birds flock to Bomb Island on Lake Murray to roost. This island has been declared a bird sanctuary, and many like to watch the birds return to the island each day around sunset.
• Columbia has attracted acts such as Jimmy Buffett, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama.
• The Carolina Center in Columbia has attracted acts such as Jimmy Buffett, Bruce Springsteen, and President George W. Bush.
• The Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness Center features state-of-the-art equipment and a 52-foot climbing wall.

Famous People from Columbia:
Whispering Bill Anderson (Singer)
James Mark Baldwin (Psychologist)
Joseph H. Burckhalter (Inventor)
Alex English (Basketball player)

Local Slang:
Cola – Columbia
Sketchy – Suspicious or unusual.
Straight – Okay or all right.
Ya’ll – You all.

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