The PANANOLE News: FSU-Panama Student E-Zine

     So, are you planning to transfer to Tallahassee? Well, let me tell you a little about what to expect and some possible lifestyle changes you might have to make.

     Although it may seem insignificant to some, one drastic difference between Panama City and Tallahassee is the traffic. Simply stated, the people here obey traffic laws, which are definitely enforced by the local police (so you can forget slipping him a $20 spot and walking away). You’ll be driving in a whole new world: turn signals are used when changing lanes, cab drivers are few, and roads are pothole free!

     This brings me to my next point: the legal drinking age. Everyone knows that in Panama the legal drinking age is “eighteen.” Many drink even younger than that, and no one really worries about underage drinkers. The United States’ policy is anyone twenty-one years of age or older may drink. Although it is not unknown for students to acquire alcohol underage, rules are strictly enforced by the FSUPD! (FSU Police Department). The police may show up at your party and ask for I.D.

     I assume that mommy and daddy will be paying your every expense, but for the student on a tight budget, food prices are a major change. One can easily spend $300 a month on groceries. Eating out is different too: many restaurants similar to Friday’s exist and, of course, there are tons of the well-known giants of the American fast food industry. Prices on these products are higher also in comparison to Panama. Around Tallahassee, though, there are plenty of what we call “mom and pop” restaurants, meaning they are family owned, individual restaurants, as opposed to the big chains. Be sure to check out Cici’s (a $5 per person all-you-can-eat Pizza buffet), and other similar restaurants.

     Now, let’s talk about clothes. Although campus can serve as your personal runway, most students choose the classic American college ensemble: a comfy pair of jeans, the infamous flip-flops, and an FSU T-shirt. Since you will most likely be walking around all day, for women, miniskirts and stilettos really aren’t practical. The rest of Tally fashion I’ll leave for you to experience.

     When I arrived in August, the weather was the same treacherous warm weather that kills a Pennsylvanian girl. My friends keep promising that it is going to get colder (so I can wear a cute coat), and it has indeed cooled down some. The temperatures to date are much like those of the dry season in Panama, being cooler at nights and sometimes breezy during the day. The only difference: humidity still exists in spite of the slight chill.

     On a different note, I’d like to point out that tuition is a great deal (especially for those on the 2 + 2 plan), and you get a lot more for your money! Can you believe that a student may print 37 pages a day for FREE? There is access to huge computer labs with great hours, the library is open until 2 am most school nights, and there’s a free “safe bus” to take you home (just have a friend call (850) 644-SAFE). I say all this knowing that FSU-Panama is doing the best it can with an infinitely smaller budget than the main campus.

     What else can you experience here? EVERYTHING! I’ve always heard that “there’s something for everyone” here, but the trite saying is true! There is a Colombian Student Association, a Salsa Club, a Latin American Sorority (this is new!), Latin American clubs, religious clubs, sports clubs, hobby clubs, everything! There’s a Latina club here called Atlantis, which I have yet to visit. Governor’s Square and Tallahassee Mall are two decent-sized indoor shopping malls. Don’t miss the Wednesday open market in the Union on campus, and the many great seminars FSU offers to educate its students (these are usually accompanied by free food–a great persuasion device when trying to get your boyfriend to go with you). The Leach Center gym is open from 6 am till 11 pm and has tons of great equipment, like a pool, a large workout room, racket-ball and squash courts, and so on. I know that many of my friends from FSU-Panama gather regularly to play soccer (that word is another thing you’ll need to get used to!) And please don’t forget the Seminole Football games either. FSU is ranked third right now, and the whole town supports the team! During Saturday home games you will see the campus filled with people having tailgate parties, which include dancing and barbequing all day long. However, to get fully into that scene you’ll need to learn the Seminole chop and brush up on Chris Rix.

     What will you miss about Panama? Although I admit I did my fair share of complaining during my yearlong stay there, I really do miss the country. I miss the culture as a whole. I miss eating home-cooked meals while looking out into the bay. I miss long days of shopping on Via Argentina. Panama has the Bridge of the Americas, which is something I treasured being able to see everyday. The oceans and mountains are something you won’t see in Tallahassee, and who wouldn’t miss being only a forty-five minute plane ride from Bocas? As far as the school goes, I miss getting to know the professors and seeing familiar faces everyday. I miss campus being one small building, and not an entire town. And you will definitely miss Night of the Arts and Dr. Murphy’s humor!

     All in all, I’d encourage everyone to finish his or her university experience in Tallahassee. It is a great place to really grow up, to learn about yourself, to study, to make friends, and to have fun! If you’re ever in town, look me up!