Part of the transition I mentioned in my last post included moving in with a friend who was studying at The United States International University (USIU) Nairobi Campus in Kasarani. (DK, if I haven’t said it enough, allow me to say it here in writing: Thanks a mil for the hospitality.) That was both interesting and weird because campus life (anywhere) is a blast, and yet I hadn’t been anywhere near campus life in over 7 years (Wow! Has it really been that long?!) Staying near USIU, I was amazed at how self-contained life in the area could be as well as how much fun was to be had on that side of town. Here’s a little bit of what I found there.
Of course, there was the hanging – I first went to stay at my friend’s place during exam time but the partying was still going on to the extreme. Students didn’t need much convincing to drop by Fifi’s or “Five-Five” (it took me a long time to realize these were two separate joints) at any time of the day. For more structured outings, there were Thursday nights at Cat’s Club (C.C.) at Safari Park Hotel where the music was amazing and didn’t stop until the wee hours of the morning. Then too, there were the usual drink ups at people’s homes and parties to go to in the area. When all else failed, there were the rare jaunts into town to go to all the regular places that the rest of us, non-students, hang out at.
Beyond having a complete social scene in and of itself, there were all kinds of services geared to catering to those at USIU. There were hair salons and business offices, internet cafés and kiosks that stocked all the essential home basics. I was really impressed. Whenever I needed something a little out of the ordinary, there was always Nakumatt Thika Road to cater to my needs. I was amazed to realize that I could spend the entire week at my friend’s place without ever coming into town because everything I needed was right there close to me. Who would have known?
Why am I writing this post? I am not sure. Maybe I am just caught up in a little reminiscing. If you are a person who is contemplating studying at USIU and wondering what kind of life you’ll lead when you are so far away from Nairobi’s city center, fear not! You’ll have everything you need close to you, and life might turn out to be quite fun. That’s how I felt even though the majority of the people in the area were too young for me to interact with meaningfully. If you are any younger, it’s bound to be a blast.
Just thought I’d share.
Toodles,
Biche
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Photo Credits: KenyanGospel.com & Nairobist.com
[...] while back, when I was staying with my hospitable friend from USIU, I happened to have family members visit from out of town. Usually, these family members would have [...]
When going to college, students start a new life, mainly different from the one they used to live before. Most of them are leaving their houses and family for the first time. This can be a hard task for them and meeting new people and making friends is a key factor for them to not feel homesickness. Living on campus in the first year it is probably the best alternative for a student that is moving alone for the first time and want to meet new people.
Despite the fact that living on campus on the first year is the best alternative for the students, many of them are not able to do this move because of the high prices that are charged. College dorms are in average more expensive than a room of the same size off campus. Some other university policies make it even harder for students with a short budget to live on campus. To illustrate that, a good example is the policy at the University of South Florida, which obligates a first year student that wants to live on campus and buy a meal plan.
Universities should try to attract all students to live on campus at least for the first year of their college life. I had an experience leaving off campus last year but I really enjoy the atmosphere that I experience now that I live on campus. I think this opportunity is unique and everyone should be able to live it.
Lucas Jovita
Hi Lucas,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Yep, I think living on campus is a great experience and yet is often the more expensive option. I lived on campus for the first year I was at University and lived off campus for the remaining time. The cost of accomodation and food was definitely more expensive when I was on campus than when I was off campus, which when I stop to compare the size of my accomodation in either case to be simply ridiculous.
I agree with you. Universities would do well to encourage students to live on campus, affordably, because among other things, it makes for better, more successful students. When you have to trek across town in the dead of winter to go to a morning lecture, the chances that you make it to class are way lower than when you actually live in a dorm, close to school, surrounded by fellow students who also have classes to go to.
Thanks for your input!
Biche
I am a USIU alumni who lived on campus, and I do concur it was one self contained place. and the level of partying was amazing.
Future Diplomat,
Was studying going on concurrently with the serious partying or were students not very into academics?
B.
[...] my first year of University when a good friend always kept a stash in her room. More recently, when I found myself rummaging through a good student-friend’s cupboard in search of ingredients to [...]
[...] within minutes, a rescue team has arrived on the scene and is able to solve my problem. Even when I was living out on Thika Road, I never waited more than 15 minutes to be rescued. (I was surprised to know that Auto Assured [...]
[...] (sort of like what is common in sports bars). It wasn’t until I found myself at Fifi’s, a bar at USIU where RU-21 is actually sold, that I understood that the product was for real and could be [...]