Kicking Off a Summer in Rochester
It’s now been over a month since I finished finals and summer 2015 is in full swing. After a couple stressful weeks of studying and paper writing, I headed back home to Oregon for a short visit and some much needed relaxation. But a week and half later, I was back at Rochester, where I’ll be staying until the end of July.
A few months ago, I was lucky enough to be accepted into Rochester’s Urban Fellows program, a ten-week program that includes an internship with a Rochester nonprofit, weekly urban issues seminars and fieldtrips around the city, free on-campus housing, and a monetary stipend for the summer. In the past five weeks, along with 20 of my peers (all either from Rochester-area colleges or Rochester natives), I have visited the Memorial Art Gallery, East High School, Gleason Works, and even City Hall, learning about urban crisis, design, and education. My internship at local literary center Writers & Books has likewise been fantastic as I’ve been able to help with many different aspects of the organization’s development: planning events, fundraising, and mastering the file system. But aside from these more structured aspects of Urban Fellows, I’ve been spending much of my time working on one of the program’s other goals: becoming more of an active member of the Rochester community.
In the past few weeks I’ve done more exploring and enjoying of the city than I have in the past two years. Unobstructed by homework or bad weather, my friends and I make an effort to do as much adventuring as possible. Here are a few of the ways we’ve been passing our time:
Festivals
Rochester is well known for being a city of festivals—something I certainly can’t argue with. My friends and I kicked off the summer with delicious food and dancing at the Rochester Greek Festival and since then have enjoyed both the Fairport Canal Days festivities and the 19th Ward Community Association’s annual Square Fair. Currently, the International Jazz Festival has transformed downtown into a bustling paradise of food trucks and music, offering fantastic free concerts as well as shows from incredible performers like Jennifer Hudson.
Nature
One of my favorite things about summer back home are all the natural playgrounds that Oregon has to offer. But while the nearby mountains might not be quite as tall and the local lake might be much larger than what I’m used to, I’m learning that Upstate New York has its own share of natural splendor. The gorgeous Letchworth State Park is only an hour away and offers some awesome hikes and beautiful views. A visit to Lake Ontario is just like any ocean beach, simply without the waves. And on weeknights when my friends and I are in the mood for a picnic, there are places like Mendon Ponds Park that are just a short drive away.
Movies & Trivia
In addition to the many big events that go on in Rochester during the summer, there are a variety of smaller festivities and entertainment options. This summer, College Town has started an outdoor movie series that gives students and community members alike a chance to see classics like Jurassic Park on the big screen. Weekly trivia nights at places like The Old Toad British Pub and Banzai Sushi & Cocktail Bar are another convenient and fun way to spend an evening. I’ve even gotten involved with events through my internship. On June 18, the city celebrated ROC Transit Day, a day dedicated to promoting public transportation, and I was lucky enough to be a part of organizing a transit story slam as a part of the day’s activities at Rundel Library.
Food
Aside from all the great forms of entertainment and activities that Rochester has to offer, there remains one of the most basic pastimes: good food. This summer is the first time I’ve really had to organize and prepare all my meals. Consequently, Saturday mornings have turned into weekly grocery shopping expeditions—quick stops at stores like Wegmans and Trader Joe’s as well as essential trips to the Public Market for insanely affordable produce. While I cook the majority of my meals, I’ve also eaten at a variety or Rochester restaurants both on Wednesdays with the Urban Fellows group and with my friends. A few of my favorites have been Taste of Ethiopia, Panzari’s Italian Bistro, and Aladdin’s Natural Eatery.
As I move forward with the rest of my summer, I can’t wait for all the additional adventures I’m sure to have.
If you want more about the City of Rochester, check out Kevin’s “Rochester: The Perfect Host for a Great Summer.”