I’m currently on my Thanksgiving break right now which means rest and relaxation before flying back to Oberlin to finish out the semester. Anytime there’s a break I usually fly back to North Carolina, or sometimes stay on campus. This blog is going to be just about that: breaks at Oberlin. I’ll cover information like getting to the airport, how accessible traveling is, as well as what it’s like to stay on campus during breaks.
I’ll start with what it’s like to go off campus during breaks. The airport is about a thirty-minute drive away from campus, and there are a few different ways students get to the airport for their flight.
- Take the shuttle. The Airport Oberlin shuttle usually takes students to the airports at scheduled times throughout the day for $25 dollars each way. This is typically how I prefer to get to the airport given it is very convenient. This being said, it’s important to note that the shuttle generally only runs on common travel days and sometimes has odd hours (like not running after 4pm on Fridays). Just be aware and make sure you leave plenty of time to get from Oberlin to the airport!
- Use a private car service. The same group that runs the airport shuttle also offers a private car service. For $70 students can take a private car to the airport. They run 24/7, so this is a great option for students travelling during times the shuttle doesn’t run. Also for $20 extra you can add an extra person to your reservation making it a great option to share with friends!
- Carpool with friends. Parking is between $17-$20 per day, so if you carpool with friends it makes leaving your car at the airport pretty accessible. I did this one year for Thanksgiving and it ended up being cheaper than the shuttle for my friends and me!
As a side note, always remember that Campus Safety is happy to walk you back to your dorm should you feel more comfortable with their company. While I strongly believe Oberlin is one of the safest campuses out there, this is nevertheless great to keep in mind--especially for late night arrivals!
Moving on, I want to talk a little about the accessibility of travelling over breaks, especially for students who aren’t from the Midwest. While some students drive or fly home, others stay on campus due to practicality or other reasons. Something new that Oberlin implemented this year is having the Wednesday off before Thanksgiving. This makes going home for Thanksgiving a lot easier! Therefore our three major breaks (Fall, Spring, and Thanksgiving breaks) are now all pretty decent chunks of time.
This being said, I also want to briefly mention what it’s like to stay on campus over break periods! Oftentimes Stevenson dining will have seasonal meals on specific holidays which feels really special and is also delicious. For instance, Stevenson has special food items and meals for holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Thanksgiving. Likewise, there’s also a number of events or opportunities for students staying on campus such as concerts or sporting events.
All in all, I hope this blog gives you a glimpse into how easy it is to travel from Oberlin as a student. Oberlin wants to make it accessible for all students to be able to visit home during their breaks, as well as for them to have an equally good time staying on campus. So whether you’re driving, flying, or staying put, here’s to easy and fun breaks at Oberlin!
