The enrollment packet finally arrived. With the cute, fat, beautifully printed, laden with info, but completely useless (only for now, before I get to Chicago) Not For Tourists Chicago Guide.
Also came along with are letters, pamphlets of housing information. They looked nice. Honestly. I began wondering why not many GSB students choose to live there. If you are new to GSB housing, let me give you some background.
GSB students, generally end up being divided in three segments. The ones who like to be close to the university, the ones who wanna party and live in downtown, the others who live in beautiful suburbs (up north?).
Now, getting back to why I was wondering. I understand the case where one wants to be in a good suburb or a party zone, but for those who are going to live near the university campus, why only Regents Park (that's a popular condo, seemingly one of the best in the Hyde Park area surrounding campus). Why not the International House, or worst the Graduate Housing options (they seem pretty ok and convenient to me).
International House, at least to me, seemed a very attractive option. Simply because it offers the opportunity to interact with folks from many different countries, and many (or most) of them not studying business. Wouldnt that just be an amazing learning experience, and a chance to make some friends from who knows where. But here I am, chickening out on what I had originally thought would be my home, just because I dont think I would find classmates from GSB living there.
I realise that sitting as far as I am, I am not being correct in judging the choice which many students have made over the years. When I get to Chicago, and have a look for myself, I will try and write an addendum to this post, which will hopefully explain the scenario in detail and rationalize why people make the choice they make.
Either ways, the housing thing in GSB isnt what schools like Kellogg, Wharton or Tuck offer, a place where everyone lives nearby. But I guess this scattered arrangement has its advantages, I would have friends all over the city (the important areas at least), and can crash at their place if I get too drunk to drive back to Regents Park (which is where I will probably end up staying).
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3 comments:
you should ping poweryogi to get his take on living at the i-house. he loved it.
Forrest,
I'm planning on living downtown. If you ever need a place to crash let me know!
BW
I've heard, from someone who lived at i-house for a year, that it's very much like an old undergrad dorm with few of the comforts that people expect from modern housing (it was, after all, built in the 30s). For instance, some rooms are so small that they require pull-out beds.
As with any apartment, make sure that you visit (and see the rooms, not just the beautiful foyer) first before deciding to live there.
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