A Student’s View: The Market and My College Experience
I'm sitting around my kitchen table on a cold Saturday morning. It's mid February and I'm studying abroad in London for my Junior year spring semester. One of my roommates walks in with her french pressed coffee and we start to talk about the previous night out and what plans were for our Saturday. Everything from London Bridge, to the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Picadilly Circus, the National Gallery, catching a football (soccer) match in a pub or just strolling around the streets of London instantly pop into my head. So much to do with so little time.
Suddenly, unexpectedly, my roommate insists that I visit a place called Borough Market. 'Yea right, like I'm going to spend one of my precious days studying abroad in London so I can go visit a market,' I sarcastically, and ultimately foolishly, thought to myself. She keeps insisting, 'You absolutely have to go, there's nothing like it and you'll be amazed, I promise.' Eventually, with enough persistence and persuasion, I give in to the suggestion and head out the door.
I arrive and am instantly amazed; it's atmosphere, the crowd, the buzz, the excitement, the joy on peoples faces as they bask in the ambiance. I was electrified and hooked from the moment I stepped foot into that market. The different new and exotic meats, cheeses, pastries, breads, and produce tingling my taste buds elegantly and filling my mind with pure bliss. I’d never experienced anything like this before, with so much that I could learn. From asking the vendors about their products to speaking with customers from all over the world about their experiences and why they chose to come. I felt like such a small piece of something so magnificent, a cog of a moving wheel that was the driving force of an international mixing pot, bringing people from all over the world together to experience, in their own way, the same fresh and organic products you can’t find anywhere else.
It remains and will forever be my favorite and most enjoyable memory of studying in London
Suddenly, unexpectedly, my roommate insists that I visit a place called Borough Market. 'Yea right, like I'm going to spend one of my precious days studying abroad in London so I can go visit a market,' I sarcastically, and ultimately foolishly, thought to myself. She keeps insisting, 'You absolutely have to go, there's nothing like it and you'll be amazed, I promise.' Eventually, with enough persistence and persuasion, I give in to the suggestion and head out the door.
I arrive and am instantly amazed; it's atmosphere, the crowd, the buzz, the excitement, the joy on peoples faces as they bask in the ambiance. I was electrified and hooked from the moment I stepped foot into that market. The different new and exotic meats, cheeses, pastries, breads, and produce tingling my taste buds elegantly and filling my mind with pure bliss. I’d never experienced anything like this before, with so much that I could learn. From asking the vendors about their products to speaking with customers from all over the world about their experiences and why they chose to come. I felt like such a small piece of something so magnificent, a cog of a moving wheel that was the driving force of an international mixing pot, bringing people from all over the world together to experience, in their own way, the same fresh and organic products you can’t find anywhere else.
It remains and will forever be my favorite and most enjoyable memory of studying in London
Back to reality
It's September now and I'm back in Rochester for my Senior year. I wake up on a Saturday and for some unknown reason the thought quickly enters my mind; go to the Rochester Public Market. I had no reason, no clear motivation, no previous thoughts of going, I simply just woke up and figured, 'Why not?' I'd passed the market a couple of times before as an underclassmen going to dinner with my parents, but never actually visited. A lot of my older teammates had told me that it was fun, but simple and nothing too special, so I never really gave it any thought as a way to spend a precious non-library committed weekend.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
After the 10 minute drive from my house, I was still having low expectations and didn't think that I'd spend more than a few minutes there to walk around or get a coffee. 4 hours later, I finally stopped to grab a jacket in my car, only to return for more.
I was hooked, and the experience has changed my view of this city permanently. That same surging and gripping excitement came over me as I walked through the intricate maze of stalls, vendors and stands, slowly pacing myself to ensure that I soaked in every possible image of each stall. The smells, sounds, conversations, smiles, joy; it was all there again just as I had experienced in London at Borough. I couldn't believe it; 'How could Rochester ever compare to London,' I kept thinking. It seemed impossible, but I couldn't stop myself from truly thinking that Rochester's market could easily compare to the almighty Borough Market, a staple and world renowned market. But it does; the question is though, how?
As much as Borough excited me when I first visited, I have to think that some part of the experience was based on the fact that I was already excited about everything; I was in London, spending my semester abroad and anything I did, be it buying groceries or riding the Tube (subway), seemed like a timeless adventure. Needless to say I hadn't felt that way about shopping at Wegman's in Monroe before.
The more and more that I think about it, the more I've come to love the Rochester Market, possibly even more so than Borough. I know that may seem harsh, unreasonable, and potentially even odd, but there are things about the market tucked away on Union Street that you won't find anywhere else.
For all it's praise and amazement, Borough to me still has one major flaw; it's a tourist attraction. It's advertised, promoted, gossiped about and hailed as one of the top things to do in London. The same may not be said about the Rochester Market. Although seemingly 100% backed by the city for future renovations, Jim Farr, Assistant Direction of Recreation for the City of Rochester, say it best, "This market is truly a market for people to shop at." There are no high-tech digital cameras capturing every movement within the market and no tour groups consisting of nationalities from all over the world trying to sample every stall. Rochester's Public Market is where the people of this city come together as one, to share their experience of supporting not only locally grown produce and foods, but each other.
I've never felt more a part of a community than I did walking amongst customers from all backgrounds, social classes, economic standings and ages. There are no boundaries to the market, where you can find yourself shopping for items that the average person doesn't need or care about. There is something for everyone and you don't feel separated from what the everyday customer would be buying. Rochester's market understands the need to provide customers of all backgrounds the opportunity to shop and buy from a range of items, not limiting them to the most exclusive tastes and flavors. It gives people the opportunity to shop together as a community, rather than segregating them by prices at chain grocers.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
After the 10 minute drive from my house, I was still having low expectations and didn't think that I'd spend more than a few minutes there to walk around or get a coffee. 4 hours later, I finally stopped to grab a jacket in my car, only to return for more.
I was hooked, and the experience has changed my view of this city permanently. That same surging and gripping excitement came over me as I walked through the intricate maze of stalls, vendors and stands, slowly pacing myself to ensure that I soaked in every possible image of each stall. The smells, sounds, conversations, smiles, joy; it was all there again just as I had experienced in London at Borough. I couldn't believe it; 'How could Rochester ever compare to London,' I kept thinking. It seemed impossible, but I couldn't stop myself from truly thinking that Rochester's market could easily compare to the almighty Borough Market, a staple and world renowned market. But it does; the question is though, how?
As much as Borough excited me when I first visited, I have to think that some part of the experience was based on the fact that I was already excited about everything; I was in London, spending my semester abroad and anything I did, be it buying groceries or riding the Tube (subway), seemed like a timeless adventure. Needless to say I hadn't felt that way about shopping at Wegman's in Monroe before.
The more and more that I think about it, the more I've come to love the Rochester Market, possibly even more so than Borough. I know that may seem harsh, unreasonable, and potentially even odd, but there are things about the market tucked away on Union Street that you won't find anywhere else.
For all it's praise and amazement, Borough to me still has one major flaw; it's a tourist attraction. It's advertised, promoted, gossiped about and hailed as one of the top things to do in London. The same may not be said about the Rochester Market. Although seemingly 100% backed by the city for future renovations, Jim Farr, Assistant Direction of Recreation for the City of Rochester, say it best, "This market is truly a market for people to shop at." There are no high-tech digital cameras capturing every movement within the market and no tour groups consisting of nationalities from all over the world trying to sample every stall. Rochester's Public Market is where the people of this city come together as one, to share their experience of supporting not only locally grown produce and foods, but each other.
I've never felt more a part of a community than I did walking amongst customers from all backgrounds, social classes, economic standings and ages. There are no boundaries to the market, where you can find yourself shopping for items that the average person doesn't need or care about. There is something for everyone and you don't feel separated from what the everyday customer would be buying. Rochester's market understands the need to provide customers of all backgrounds the opportunity to shop and buy from a range of items, not limiting them to the most exclusive tastes and flavors. It gives people the opportunity to shop together as a community, rather than segregating them by prices at chain grocers.
I am alone?
There has to be other students in the area that appreciate, enjoy, cherish and love the market as much as me; aren't there?
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that way based on some interviews with students at the University of Rochester. One student's response regarding the importance of the market is quoted as saying, "I like the market, but I don't think it really adds any value to the experience here at Rochester. There are other ways for people to feel part of the community."
I have to respectfully and strongly disagree.
The market would give students in the city the opportunity to experience what it means to be a part of the city they go to school in; to feel part of the community where they spend, "the best 4 years of your life"; to feel as if their universities home town can truly be their second home. In a time when students can feel lost and disconnected, the market can mend that sense of loneliness and bring people together as one.
I hope that in the future, universities and schools alike will encourage and excite students about visiting markets all over the country as part of building each individuals college experience. The market can provide people with that sense of togetherness but also construct individuality, allowing students to explore their own interests. Isn't that what college is all about? Exploring new things, learning more about oneself and trying to connect with others who share a common interest.
I may be biased because my market experiences have given me so much in return, but I can't help but think that others could benefit just as much, if not more than I did. It may not be for everyone, but I guarantee that there are few places such as the market that can unexpectedly give so much in return. Young or old, student or resident, local or visitor, if you're looking to find yourself and connect with others, I couldn't think of a better place than the Rochester Public Market.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that way based on some interviews with students at the University of Rochester. One student's response regarding the importance of the market is quoted as saying, "I like the market, but I don't think it really adds any value to the experience here at Rochester. There are other ways for people to feel part of the community."
I have to respectfully and strongly disagree.
The market would give students in the city the opportunity to experience what it means to be a part of the city they go to school in; to feel part of the community where they spend, "the best 4 years of your life"; to feel as if their universities home town can truly be their second home. In a time when students can feel lost and disconnected, the market can mend that sense of loneliness and bring people together as one.
I hope that in the future, universities and schools alike will encourage and excite students about visiting markets all over the country as part of building each individuals college experience. The market can provide people with that sense of togetherness but also construct individuality, allowing students to explore their own interests. Isn't that what college is all about? Exploring new things, learning more about oneself and trying to connect with others who share a common interest.
I may be biased because my market experiences have given me so much in return, but I can't help but think that others could benefit just as much, if not more than I did. It may not be for everyone, but I guarantee that there are few places such as the market that can unexpectedly give so much in return. Young or old, student or resident, local or visitor, if you're looking to find yourself and connect with others, I couldn't think of a better place than the Rochester Public Market.