Leeann Sanon | Staff Writer
The transition from living on campus during the fall and spring at FIU to then moving back home during the summer is surreal. Going from being independent of my parents to returning home creates a distorted sense of reality and control.
Being an on campus resident at FIU brings out an entire hidden culture. FIU is a known commuter school but that does not mean an on campus presence is not there. The campus culture is based on finding community in a diverse, malleable commuter-dominated environment.
My experience at FIU as a Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC) resident is similar to the majority of other residents. I experienced the same adjustment period when I needed to familiarize myself with my roommates and make friends. During that time home became a distant thing. This disconnect was needed to properly adapt to dorm life and avoid home sickness.
Coming back home for the summer semester feels cryptic. Living on campus provided me with a shield from my reality at home. Now that I am home, there is a subtle expectation that I will return to the “role” that I had prior to moving to campus. The role of an obedient child. As if I don’t have eight months worth of experience pushing boundaries.
There is now a covert battle between me and my parents over our perceived control. Since I am home all my previous constraints are resurfacing. Along with my inability to effectively communicate why my priorities have shifted.
Like many, this summer is the first time that I have been back home since living on campus for the last eight months. This summer is also many upperclassmen’s last time living on campus because of the housing freeze. This change has skewed the Miami housing market and limited opportunities for affordable rent.
In my experience, there has been a disconnect between my home and dorm life. I was unable to bridge this gap because of the housing crisis. I realized that my time at home and campus is limited. Being home amid the housing crisis reinforced what I already knew that leaving campus is not a choice.
Now, I need to consider where I will be moving as I further my journey at FIU. The ties I have both to home and campus are wavering considering that I will not have consistent housing in the future.
The housing crisis at FIU goes beyond being an annoying part of the college experience. The limitations on housing for upperclassmen has put a burden on both upperclassmen and underclassmen to exert themselves to receive the campus experience. Many students are filled with immense regret on how they spent their underclassmen years because they no longer have the opportunity to finish out their degree on campus.
Along with that burden upperclassmen have to find housing for this coming academic school year. The insecurity of adjusting to home life is exacerbated considering the housing crisis. Not only do students need to worry about the transition period of college to home but also the possibility of having no housing in the coming fall and spring.
For many students this summer is their only opportunity to secure housing or else they will be forced out of FIU. Even though FIU is a commuter school, this added factor of limited housing has caused students to seemingly feel that pressure.
Current underclassmen now feel an increased responsibility since they will essentially be the replacement for upperclassmen on campus. The transition from freshman to sophomore has created a gaping sense of responsibility.
There is now a negative cycle created where students are essentially running from the ticking clock to find off campus housing for their junior year and beyond.
Summer term, a time of rest and relaxation has become riddled with uncertainties and insecurities. The added pressure to achieve one’s college fantasies while managing a relationship with their parents after attaining new found freedom.
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The opinions presented on this page do not represent the views of the PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect the perspectives of contributing writers and/or university community members.
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