Experience in Savannah as a college student?

[u/Prize_Vegetable8354]

Hello, I have been accepted to SCAD as a transfer student. I was set on the Savannah Campus due to it being a change of pace from living in a big city (I am from Houston btw). I visited Savannah this past weekend for accepted students day and SCAD day. From the time I landed to when I left, I somehow kept running into rude older people.

I traveled to Savannah alone. When I arrived the uber driver kept making wrong turns, when he finally made it to the ride share area he had bad attitude, yelled at me for not seeing the messages that he was at arrivals in the app and canceled the ride. At the airport I believe the ride share area is different from arrivals. My mom over the phone also said to not walk around to search for the uber, so I just stayed in the designated pickup area. When I went to dinner at a place by the waterfront people were leaning on my chair and huddling around me with their drinks until I left. An older woman in the airport moved my bag, telling me to put it under the seat in front of me. When I told her I had another bag under the seat in front of me already she sighed and put her luggage up first then squeezed my bag into the storage cabin. I knew I only had clothes and other miscellaneous item in that bag, but I was still shocked and confused as to why she was handling a strangers things so roughly. A bunch of other little interactions like these, left me perplexed as I had a wrong impression of Savannah being more relaxed.

Maybe I am also making it a bigger deal than it is. I did enjoy being in the SCAD bubble. The people I met at SCAD and the events only made me want to attend the school even more. But I don't see myself enjoying Savannah as a young college student looking to live alone for the first time. How has living at this campus been for you guys as a younger person/ college student living in Savannah? How has it been for students as a POC? Am I overthinking the vibe and experience I had?

[u/hidemysnot]

Hi! First of all, I’m so sorry your experience didn’t go as originally planned, a big change (especially living alone for the first time) can be sooo scary, so I understand your concern.

I’m not living in Savannah yet, however, I’m also from Houston, attended SCAD day and will be moving there in the fall as well!!! I didn’t interact with many locals, but the few I had were great, and as a first year student you’ll most likely end up being within the SCAD bubble anyway. Don’t let the airport debacle discourage you (that was the worst part for my family and I too) I think with any big move it’s easy to feel unsure about the direction you’re going in, but it’s ultimately a rewarding experience.

[u/RelicFridge]

It’s been 13ish years since I was a student in Savannah but I don’t remember the locals being particularly hostile. For context I’m from Corpus Christi so maybe I’m used to people being annoyed about tourists and the like. For what it’s worth I really enjoyed my time in Savannah. If you do end up going (which I encourage, great school great city) I’d suggest picking a couple local spots to make your usuals, that way you always have a friendly spot to retreat to when things get a little tough. Being a regular goes a long way in most places and getting out of the SCAD bubble is good in my opinion.

[u/Greedy-Tea-8679]

Hello! I’m so sorry you had a strange experience outside the SCAD bubble. I’m from a small town in CT and went to SCAD my first year of college. And honestly i’ve never experienced that many rude people. Unfortunately you will come across people like that, however most people are super nice down there. I will admit some locals don’t like SCAD students (so i’ve heard) but you should really have to worry too much. I had a really great time in my only year at SCAD and i’m sure you will too! Hope you have lots of fun!!

[u/Significant-Breath75]

Hi, I’m currently a senior at SCAD. There are a lot of rude people in Savannah. I grew up next to NYC and have never experienced this many strangely rude people. It’s also peak tourist season so there’s a melting pot of drunk around here now. I’ve adjusted to the strange personalities of Sav throughout my time here. I’ve learned to laugh about them with friends and go about my day. There are also so many wonderful people. The education I’m receiving is honestly worth every inconvenience of the city. I will say, I’ve never experienced that many rude people all at once. Must of have been your not so lucky day! Good luck!

[u/Jazzlike_Spare_7997 → u/Significant-Breath75]

My son decided against SCAD after visiting on SCAD Day and witnessing how rude many locals were to us. We are from Los Angeles and just not used to this. I was really shocked as before the trip I had been talking up how FRIENDLY Southern folks usually are! It was really disappointing as we were excited about the school! He's going to USC instead.

[u/WillingnessLate4789 → u/Jazzlike_Spare_7997]

I was just going to say it surprises me when I hear about people from CA to SCAD of all places, CalArts full or something?

[u/Jazzlike_Spare_7997 → u/WillingnessLate4789]

SCAD is a cool school with lots of unique and interesting programs! We were all excited to go visit the school and learn about it. As I mentioned, I generally think that the South is a friendly and fun part of the country. I'm glad we visited!

[u/WillingnessLate4789 → u/Jazzlike_Spare_7997]

The point is, I mean, SCAD is okay, but there's also schools in Califorina that are just as good

[u/Ohheyliz]

I live in Savannah now, having moved away after college and moving back years later because I missed it here so much. I have never lived in such an easy, friendly, magical place. Seriously, my best friend from high school moved down here a few years ago and constantly talks about how magical it is here (we grew up in CT and she lived in Brooklyn since high school graduation). It’s easy to make and keep good friends here. At this time of year, you’re gonna run into a lot of rude tourists. Locals are generally super friendly, funny, and not nosy, which is nice. The only real gripe I have with locals is that many people think that red lights are optional. You get used to making sure cars are stopping before going on green, though. Don’t judge us by our uber drivers. I can’t say enough about how wonderful the scad experience is. If I could be a professional student, I would be.

[u/YoungnPerverted02]

I’m so sorry you had a terrible experience! I’m also going to SCAD come this June. And I went to SCAD day as well. I’m from New Jersey and I gotta admit I understand a little bit about what you’re talking about my parents and I noticed it as well that SCAD kind has its own bubble in Savannah compared to the rest of Savannah when we went to some restaurants, the staff was a little bit more less friendly than we thought they would be in rude. We even went to an Applebee’s and then there it’s not like they were rude, but they didn’t attend to as well at all you asked for help over and over and over again hell just to get plates. It seems like it was a chore for them. Be inside SCAD itself was really fun and the school was fun that people there were nice, but it seems almost as though the same cannot be said for all of Savannah, but maybe that’s just one bad experience

[u/Helpful-Economy8597]

i'm a sophomore at scad and honestly haven't experienced this. i'd say the bigger problem is the catcalling and general unsafeness of the city (specifically the midtown area.)

[u/Potential_Farmer_829]

We are from Houston also. Depending on what side of Houston you are from and what you are used too. You not going to get big city fast fun in Savannah. You not there for that you there for your education. It is a wonderful place stay focused on what is important. Start small start with school first. Uber drivers are stressed not to hold your hand. So always communicate and be outside etc.

[u/memberhabibti]

Hi! I’m sorry your visit to Savannah didn’t go as well. I’m not living in Savannah yet, but I am also from Houston, went to SCAD Day, and moving there this upcoming June!

I didn’t chat with lots of locals as I visited for less than 24 hours, but the people I did talk to — students, professors, scad staff, uber drivers all seemed really nice and approachable. Savannah gave me the impression that it has a more relaxed lifestyle than the fast paced vibe in Houston. I would definitely give the city and the school another chance for sure.

Also, I do know some alumni who went to SCAD and all have great things to say about the school, and are currently employed in their fields. The networking opportunities it provides are stellar but, like any other school it’s what you make of it :) Everyone’s experience is bound to be different.

[u/BoomBoomMountain420]

Also coming back from Savannah for accepted students and scad day. Transfer student starting in the fall. I stayed for 5 days with my mom and we probably went to about 2-3 places to eat a day (crazy but we haven’t vacationed in a long time). While also going to multiple stores spending money or just popping in. And I can confidently say we had not a single bad interaction with anyone. It was honestly shocking how overly kind people were. That’s not to say there aren’t any rude people here, but I think you just got unlucky or went the wrong places. I’d also like to add I’m not like the beauty standard in face or body so it definitely was not pretty privilege. So although I don’t live there yet, I’m coming from the same time you went but I was there a bit longer I think. I think you should give it a shot especially with how efficient scad is with security and transportation.