Florida International University at Biscayne Bay: a fun, accessible trip for main campus students

Florida International University's Modesto A. Maidique campus is my local school as a West End-er and where South Florida's newly grads chase the dream. It earns its reputation as a commuter campus for its early closing times - Chick-fil-A closes at 5 pm during the fall! Going to FIU has felt like less of a '90s college romcom rite of passage and more so like my quick stop before work, catching up on endless readings (English major), or a well-deserved power nap. Unfortunately, this is the reality for thousands of FIU students.

In spite of this, I figured I could opt for a change of pace. This is why I decided to take last Friday to explore the almost elusive Biscayne Bay Campus, FIU's less known, less populated sector but crucial for journalism, hospitality, and marine science students' success. In other words, if you major in any of these and live anywhere below North Miami, perhaps I caught you on the (time and gas) saving grace that is the Panther Express. Cheap for employees and free for students, this trip was perfectly accessible while I was on campus.

I rarely take the highway or go far from my corner of unincorporated Miami-Dade County, so this trip was sort of like going to SeaWorld without the temptation to splurge - and trust me, for a college student, this is necessary. This alternate campus was rich with coastal aesthetics, nature, and wildlife that mentally set me at an elaborate beach town rather than at a school. Maybe this was because I was not coming for class, yet regular students here may have more to admire compared to the base campus.

BBC is not only housed on a coastal edge of North Miami but built with the sea in mind. The Marine Science Building greets you with a charming sea turtle statue painted sea green and blue and decorated with Moorish Idol fish, followed by a lobby like taking a deep ocean dive - the windows were round and small like a submarine's!

While you may look over your shoulder and watch traffic flow at Modesto A. Maidique, you'll truly feel like you're in sunny Florida when you spot an island of Greater Miami from across the bay. As someone who lives by the Everglades, Miami for me is rarely the vibrant beach town attracting its ever-growing population. I am glad that I, a college student with not much time on my hands, finally had the chance to leave my bubble and see the whole ocean.

During my visit, I interviewed a fellow FIU student who is often on both campuses and asked how it feels to be in either. She describes BBC as being "distinctively quieter" and with a "more intimate atmosphere compared to MMC."

This environment makes it easier to "spot familiar faces and foster deeper connections with professors, staff, and other students." BBC feels "much more community-driven."

Of course, despite BBC suffering from some of the same issues with MMC in having limited events on weekends and opening/closing times for food spots, the particularly intimate atmosphere created by the location makes up for the lack of action.

The relaxing beach feel accented the campus from every angle, from the fountain surrounding Wolfe University Center to the airy sandy scent as you step off the Panther Express and breathe in new life. And to think I could have come here a lot sooner; if you're a Florida International University student in need of not just a quiet study space - check out the Glenn Hubert Library, but that tranquility of a seaside campus without spending a dime on gas outside of a quick commute to the main campus, the Biscayne Bay campus is absolutely worth the visit.

Bonus points for the experience if you come during the summer - get some ice cream!