Each day, at least in normal times, Gonzaga students travel into school from all over the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. This is something Gonzaga takes pride in because they can create one of the most diverse private schools in the area. Most people know that Union Station, and more notably the Capitol, are just a few blocks away from Gonzaga’s campus; however, they may not understand how vital the Metro and sometimes even the Marc trains are for Gonzaga students.
Most incoming freshmen worry about how they will commute before they realize how simple it can be. For most, it is not at all difficult to find a carpool into school. After the final bell, most freshmen walk together to Union Station right after school to catch their train back home. This is a great opportunity for the new Gonzaga students to bond and make new friends.
“Some of my best moments where I met new people was walking to the metro as a freshman, and seeing all my classmates go to the same place at the same time. This made using public transportation and the commute fun,” said Sean McGarrity, class of 2019.
Also, this walk to the Metro teaches Gonzaga students to be aware of their surroundings and learn the ins and outs of public transportation, which is a great skill to have going forward.
For those who drive into school, the garage, which was created when the field was redone about seven years ago, is available for seniors. This has made life a lot easier for Gonzaga students looking to drive to and from campus every day. For many years, the K Street lot was a popular spot for Gonzaga juniors to park each morning.
“My commute to and from Gonzaga has never been something I have to worry about, and now as a senior I enjoy going down each day and seeing the monuments and the entire city,” said Michael Bath, senior, who lives in Vienna, Virginia.
At $8 an hour and directly adjacent to Gonzaga’s campus, Gonzaga students gave it a great amount of the business. However, that lot is no longer an option as construction has been underway of an apartment complex. Being in the city, Gonzaga’s campus is obviously a special place; however, finding places to park outside of the garage can both be expensive and difficult. Still, the commute should not be something that decides whether or not to come to Gonzaga. Students figure it out and find their way to and from campus.
Carol Corgan • Apr 30, 2021 at 2:48 pm
Good job, Connor. I think the commute into the city gives Gonzaga students a leg up in their becoming independent young men.