As I have been moving into my dorm at Bryn Mawr College, I have had time to reflect on my time in Maryland. Maryland has been where I have spent the majority of my secondary school education and where I have made friends that have changed my life for the better. It has been the place where I have encountered near impossible struggles and have been able to overcome them with the help of my friends and family. So, without further ado, here are some aspects of Maryland life I will miss.

1. Cava Grill

Recently, I discovered that there is no Cava in the Philly area. The delicious Mediterranean version of Chipotle was my staple food in Maryland and I honestly don’t know how I’m going to survive without it. But, if you are in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) sometime, I highly recommend going to Cava.

2. Bubble Tea

On a similar food note, the town of Bryn Mawr does not have any bubble tea! Not only is this a travesty beyond measures, but the closest bubble tea shop is 30min away in downtown Philadelphia. In Maryland, there were at least 2 bubble tea shops in a 10 mile radius at any given point. Bryn Mawr needs to up its game and appreciate the amazing Chinese drink of bubble tea.

3. DC in the spring

Although not actually Maryland, Washington, DC is extremely beautiful in the spring due to the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin and around the city. Spring is also the time when tourists are starting to come but not in huge droves so it’s actually pleasant to walk through DC. Also spring means spring break, which means exploring the quirky and cute parts of DC like Adams Morgan, and restaurants like Momofuku.

4. Too-strong air conditioning

I have been on campus for less than a week and I am in a constant state of stickiness and sweatiness. There is no air-conditioning in any of the dorms, except the modern ones. As a result, there are at least 4 fans in my dorm room trying to cool my roommates and I down at any given moment. I’m used to humidity and heat but accompanied with overpowering AC.

5. The close access to trails and hiking paths

In Maryland, there were man made trails a walkable distance from my neighborhood. You could go on a short scenic walk on the Capital Crescent Trail or walk or bike on the C&O Canal that stretches from Georgetown, DC, to Cumberland, MD. There was also the Billy Goat Trail that you could get to through the C&O Canal. It is a pretty beginner level hike that is usually popular and busy. At least in Bryn Mawr, there don’t seem to be any nearby trails and those that exist are only accessible by car.