When you visit the lovely campus of Salus University, you
will see it is nestled in beautiful Elkins Park, a northern suburb of
Philadelphia. The Eye Institute, which is the University’s optometry teaching
facility, is located about three miles south in the Oak Lane section of
Philadelphia. During the optometry interview, shuttle transportation is
provided to interviewees to give them the opportunity to tour the facility. But once enrolled, it is the
student’s responsibility to provide his or her own transportation to the
clinical facility at the assigned times.
At
first this may sound daunting, especially for those who travel long distances
to attend Salus. Not to mention, there are also the regular tasks that need to
be accomplished, such as grocery shopping and setting up a home before classes
and clinical begins. Additionally, one may want to explore the area to see what
it has to offer. The first semester of the first year of the traditional
optometry program is very manageable without a vehicle.
There
is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) system that includes
not only buses but also regional trains and subways. One way on the bus is
$2.25. To pay for the ride back, one can pay an extra dollar at the time of the
first fare for a transfer pass, which can be used anytime the same day. One way
on the bus is $7 between Elkins Park and downtown Philadelphia. For a
roundtrip, the fee is $10. There is also a great money-saver known as an
Independence Pass. For $12 one can ride SEPTA that day for no additional
charge. The only stipulation is that it must be purchased after 9:00 a.m. This is a great option for transportation to
and from the airport, downtown Philadelphia, or The Eye Institute.
There are also Uber and Lyft
driving services. Both can be accessed through apps downloaded onto any mobile
device. Both require the user to share his or her location and to enter a
credit or debit card for billing purposes. This is great for door-to-door
service for out of town friends visiting, grocery shopping, or safe traveling after dusk.
Fees may vary based on distance and availability.
The most helpful and underrated
form of transportation is with a classmate. Reaching out to the rest of the
class is necessary for this method. This can be done while meeting classmates
during Orientation Week or shortly after classes start. The class Facebook
group will also be a good place to find a classmate with a similar schedule.
One does not have to limit him or herself to one person to ride with every
day. Due to the fluctuation of the University
or program schedule, more than one friend with a car will be an added benefit. One
classmate can be a ride to class while another can be a ride to clinic.
Although riding with someone else does not directly cost the passenger, one can
still offer to pay for gas as repayment.
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| Drake Tavern - Jenkintown | Source: VisitPhilly.com |
Additionally, some apartment
complexes offer shuttle services around the neighborhood. Most have stops at
the local grocery store, Walmart and Target. Be sure to check wherever you plan
to rent. The schedule is usually posted. Also, nothing is wrong with taking a
walk once in a while to learn the Elkins Park/Jenkintown area. During the
warmer months, it is nice to walk around to become more familiar with the area
that will be called home for the next few years. One can get a more intimate
knowledge of the hidden treasures that can be found in the neighborhood. The
best part - it’s absolutely free!
Finally, Google Maps is an
especially helpful tool to help navigate all methods of transportation,
especially to new locations. This can help with directions for drivers, show a
given route via public transportation, estimate the cost of a driving service,
and help the student determine if the distance is walkable in decent
circumstances or nice weather. This takes a lot of pressure off of the first year so the main
focus can be grades and adjusting to the new climate or area The Christmas
break, spring semester, or summer break can also be used to find a vehicle
suitable for the rest of your career at Salus. So take a deep breath and relax. You
got this!
- Annie is a first year optometry student at Salus University
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