When I first visited the University of Arkansas, I was impressed. I couldn’t put my finger on it then, but the school made me feel instantly recognized. It made me feel accepted. After visiting other campuses that left me with a bad feeling, I felt an immense relief finally finding a place I loved. Suddenly, all of the pieces were coming together as I toured what would become my future home.

Now that I’m in my second semester here at the University of Arkansas (that’s so hard to believe) I couldn’t be happier with my decision. There are so many things I love about the school, and with each day, I grow to love it a little bit more. And so, without further ado, I present my list of reasons why I love the University of Arkansas.

1. The atmosphere

One of the first things I noticed when touring Arkansas was the atmosphere. Everyone on campus, and in the entire northwest Arkansas area, was passionate about the school. I could instantly tell this was a school that people stood behind (unlike some of the other schools I’d toured) and I loved that about it. The combination of friendliness and helpfulness was one of the major deciding factors for me when picking Arkansas. It’s so refreshing to be a part of a community that loves where they are and wants to share that with others. Community involvement is what I love to see and this is something northwest Arkansas has down to a t.

2. School spirit

The pride that this school has for their hogs is like no other. I had heard of “calling the hogs” before becoming a Razorback, but I hadn’t realized what it stood for. Now that I’m a student, I realize calling the hogs is more than just a cheer. It represents the pride Razorbacks and Arkansans alike have for their hogs. I also think it’s awesome how the entire community backs the Razorbacks as well. It’s the state’s team and the evidence to prove this is everywhere. One only has to drive around the area a little while before seeing Razorback flags in yards, or hog decals on cars.

3. Fayetteville

Before coming to the university, I had heard of Fayetteville, but the closest I had gotten to it was Bella Vista. I wish I would have come earlier. There’s a reason Fayetteville was ranked the number three place to live in America. It is truly a great place to live. People in Fayetteville are so friendly and welcoming, and there is a ton of community involvement. Whenever I volunteer around town, this community pride is evident, and it’s one of the things I love most about Fayetteville. I also love the scenery. Fayetteville is located in the Ozark mountains, one of the prettiest areas in the country in my opinion.

There are numerous outdoor parks like Devils Den to visit, which many residents and students alike do on nice days. Not only does Fayetteville have community involvement and beautiful scenery, but they also have a great entertainment atmosphere. While Razorback athletics are their own category, there are also a number of activities taking place at the Walton Arts Center, at the Town Hall, or even at restaurants/bars on Dickson. There is always something fun to do.

4. The People

Being from the Midwest (but what students at Arkansas consider the North) I wasn’t accustomed to the concept of “southern hospitality.” Don’t get me wrong, people in my town were very nice, but coming down here, the level of friendliness was brought up a notch. People at Arkansas will greet you in the street and go out of their way to help you. Whether a person is a complete stranger or not does not dictate the level of friendliness shown to them. The philosophy down here, I’ve decided, is to be friendly and helpful to everyone you meet.

5. Individual attention

When I decided to go to Arkansas, I had an image of auditorium size classes. However, this was not the case. Although I’ve had a few large classes, the majority of them have been smaller (some of them even smaller than my high school classes!). What I really enjoy about these small class sizes have been the individual attention I’ve been able to receive. This comes in handy particularly during office hours. I never imagined that I would be able to receive the amount of one on one attention I have at a large division 1 school. The professors here value the importance of education and will go out of their way to make sure you are understanding the content, something I am forever grateful for. I cannot emphasize enough how detrimental this individual attention has been for obtaining the academic success I’ve had.

6. Food

Where do I even begin? The northwest Arkansas area has so many amazing places to eat, I still haven’t eaten everywhere I’ve wanted to yet. There are the frequent stops that college kids make (What-a-burger, Tacos 4 Life and Andy’s) but there are also so many local places, such as Hugo’s, Sassy’s, and Hammontree’s, that have amazing food as well. If you are craving any type of food, it’s almost a guarantee that Fayetteville, or at the least the northwest Arkansas area, has it. The possibilities are truly endless.