Even as a college student, summer vacation never loses its appeal. What’s better than a few months off of classes to bask in the sun before the fall rolls in again?
However, the question does arise: what are you supposed to do in the summer when you’re in college? Do you get a job? Find an internship? Go back home and work at your local ice cream shop? (Author’s Note: I have done all of these.)
Luckily, if you’re looking for work, research, community, and a good time—and you’re looking for something with funding—a summer at URochester can be incredibly special.
Based on my past two summers in the city (and the experiences of a few of my friends), here are some of the best ways to spend it.
1. Conducting Research
For students hoping to explore research at URochester, the summer provides the perfect chance to work full time on a project without the competing (yet important) responsibility of coursework.
Personally, I spent this summer with SoNIC (Science of Neural, Interpersonal Communication) Lab as a Bilski-Mayer fellow: a Brain and Cognitive Sciences specific award to support continued research in the department. With the grant’s funding, I was able to develop an independent project in the lab, attend weekly workshops hosted by a wonderful team of graduate students and professors, and present my research at an end of summer poster session. Now that the fellowship is complete, I’m continuing my analysis with the hopes to include its findings in one of my lab’s upcoming papers.
Alongside departments specific fellowships like the Bilski-Mayer, the Schwartz Discover Grant offers a fully-funded research opportunity for students across all disciplines. Awarded students collaborate with a faculty member to facilitate a full time project (spanning 300 hours over the summer months), as well as attend professional development sessions on topics like research communication, applying to graduate/medical school, and attending conferences.
Check out summer research opportunities can be found here.
2. Working In The Community
A summer in Rochester is the prime opportunity to get more integrated into the city itself, whether through a university facilitated program or otherwise.
Last summer, I interned at the Rochester Beacon (a non-profit community newspaper) through the Oasis Project: an internally run program that supports students in developing skills as an on-the-ground local journalist. For me, the Beacon gave that push to get more active in the city happenings —and thankfully so. By covering neighborhood markets like the Westside Farmers Market, bakeries like CRUST, performances at Jazz Festival and Blackfriars Theatre, and mutual aid efforts like the Eastside Potluck Society, the city became more of a familiar friend.
URochester supported programs such as Urban Fellows, Schwartz Community-Based Internships and Hire Rochester also provide the chance for students to work directly with city businesses and organizations. These past two summers, I’ve had friends working at locations like the Strong Museum of Play, Girls Rock! Rochester, SewGreen, Freedom Scholars and more—whatever one’s interests may be, there’s something that’ll peak yours.
3. Getting Ice Cream
Did you know that Upstate New York is one of the largest dairy producers in the country? I certainly didn’t before coming here, but have been lucky to reap the benefits regardless—primarily via ice cream. Thus, when the weather gets warm, you can often find me at one of the city’s local creameries. Per their name, Hedonist Artisan Chocolates unsurprisingly features some of the richest chocolate sorbet I’ve had in my life, just as Pittsford Dairy’s home location offers the unique experience of getting super rich ice cream from within a barn. I like their blueberry flavor. However, my current favorite Rochester ice cream shop has to be Countertop Creamery: a small-batch based creamery with “evocative” flavors, collaborations with other Rochester businesses, and plenty of dairy free and allergy friendly options. I’ve been partial to scoops like their home grown basil and Thai tea flavors, but they also offer pretty wacky options such as BBQ and pizza inspired ice cream. You just have to go try it for yourself.
4. Listening To (Or Performing At) The Rochester International Jazz Festival
One of the city’s summer highlights is the Rochester International Jazz Festival, a downtown jamboree that that hosts over 200 performances with world-class musicians over the course of around a week. Even better, a wide bulk of shows are free to attend; a personal favorite of mine has been Trombone Shorty, who appeared at the festival for his 10th appearance this past summer!
Additionally, students at URochester also have a selection of ways to get involved musically at the festival. Groups like the Eastman School of Music Jazz honors sections, University of Rochester Jazz Ensemble, and Music Educators Big Band (lead by URochester professor Bill Tiberio) represent both Eastman and River Campus students at the festival, and many Eastman students also play in jam groups around the area downtown.
5. Working on Campus
Alongside opportunities like internships and research projects, many URochester students (myself included) work on campus during the summer. For me, continuing lifeguarding at the Goergen Athletic Center has been a nice way to enjoy campus’ summer offerings (such as the Tasty Tuesday food trucks and adorable roaming groundhogs), as well as earn a bit of extra pocket money. It’s also quite nice running into friends working at Wilson Commons, leading tours around the quad, and running events at the Burgett Intercultural Center!
Various departments of the school also offers seasonal on-campus work such as library internships and welcome week leadership.
6. Exploring Rochester with Friends
Beyond internships and work, one of the the best aspects of spending a summer in Rochester is the time spent with friends. Since most people have similar working hours, it’s nice having the flexibility to hang out in the off-time—particularly when most people live in close proximity to campus.
My past two summer have been filled with fire pits, movie nights, beach days, dinners with friends, and time spent with new friends at work and in the lab. It’s also great having people together for special occasions like birthdays, housewarmings, and the Fourth of July.
Even as the school year is starting up again, remember to keep the summer months in mind when narrowing your college search. Finding a university with support that extends beyond the calendar school year can be crucial in gaining pre-professional experience, just as an enriching off-campus opportunities can really help make your college town a home.