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We’re Not Abroad Anymore, Are We? By Danielle Sullivan on January 27, 2011

Students at Marist College dread the snow trodden path to class with slick

walkways, giant icicles looming overhead, and slush-covered corners, however

those who were abroad last spring would rather trade in their days off for a milder climate.

While Poughkeepsie residents dream of warm beaches and tropical drinks, the

reality of temperatures below zero and constantly accumulating snow piles have made gloves, scarves, and hats the every day attire.

“In Italy boots were a fashion statement, but here I can’t walk two feet without my

boots because of snow piles and puddles,” said Carly Marshiano, a student who studied in Florence last spring.

Instead of a weekend in Florida to escape the winter winds, many students took a

vacation that lasted all of spring semester last year. “It’s been two years since I’ve had to wake up to snow at school, let alone

negative degree weather” said senior Annie Davenport, who spent last spring in

Sevilla, Spain. According to the National Weather Service, only one degree stood between

Monday’s negative 14-degree weather and the record-breaking temperature of

minus 15 degrees recorded at the Dutchess County Airport in 1961. Regardless, students braved the cold and crossed Route 9 for their regularly scheduled classes.

“It’s not the snow that bothers me,” said Davenport. “I just hate how cold it gets,

my body isn’t used to this anymore.” Even before move-in, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported that there was anywhere

between 8 and 18 inches of snow across parts of Dutchess County. With the first

full day cancelled and several classes after that, students have been hiding out from the frigid temperatures and wintry mixes.

“I don’t mind snow days that much,” said Kathryn Coursey, a senior at Marist

College.“They let me catch up on work and help me get organized for the rest of my week.”

While some are enjoying their free time, others are wishing they were elsewhere.

“I hate it – it’s way too cold to live in,” said senior Lindsey Schmid, who spent last spring in Australia. “I like to wear summer clothes rather than winter clothes

and have the sun shining every day.”

But students shouldn’t expect to take their boots off just yet. Forecasts from the National Weather Service predict more storms ahead. Both

Friday and Saturday have a 40 percent chance of snowstorms with highs of

32. However, while no snow is expected on Sunday, temperatures will drop back down to the 20s.

“It’s sad enough that I left for Italy a year ago today, it’s even sadder that I now

consider 32 degrees a heat wave,” said Marshiano.

January at Marist (Photo by Katherine Welcome)

January in Florence (Photo by Danielle Sullivan)

Posted in weather | Tagged abroad, Marist College, snow, weather