Experiencing winter for the first time

by Amanda Peterka

Photo by Jesse Zrull

Most people can’t imagine a winter without snow, but for some students coming to Michigan State University, snow is one thing they’ve never seen before. 

Chrissy Sheffler, a freshman in communicative sciences and disorders, is just getting used to the cold temperatures.  Having lived in Jacksonville, FL, all her life, Sheffler was first introduced to snow last February when she visited Michigan State for the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition.  

However, it was the “nasty, muddy stuff,” and it is only now that Sheffler is experiencing the white, powdery snow usually associated with winter in Michigan.  “It’s really exciting…and a nice change of atmosphere,” said Sheffler. 

In Jacksonville, the normal winter temperature hovers between 50 and 60 degrees with a couple of hard freezes or when temperatures fall below 32 degrees.  

In Houston, the story is very much the same.  Nicole Nguyen, a junior majoring in English and professional writing, had seen snow only once before arriving at Michigan State her freshman year.  This was only when she came up to Michigan at age five to visit her aunt for Christmas. 

“Snow was pretty cool the first time.  I threw my first snowball…and learned what it meant to get whitewashed,” said Nguyen.  

Houston is generally a little cooler than Jacksonville in the winter, with temperatures normally between 40 and 50 degrees.  Although parts in northern Texas receive a little snow each year, the closest Houston gets to snow is a couple of cold snaps ranging in the 20- and 30-degree temperature range. 

Nguyen enjoys not having to bundle up during a Houston winter.  Her normal outer gear is a “fall coat” and the rest of her ensemble consists of “sneakers and jeans-there’s no need for heavy boots or Under Armour, but everyone has gloves.”  However, according to Nguyen, gloves are only for fashion and have nothing to do with the weather. 

In Texas, Nguyen’s wintertime activities don’t differ much from her summer ones, except that she doesn’t go to the beach or swim.  “I’m not an outdoors person,” said Nguyen.  

Sheffler, on the other hand, enjoys being outside throughout the whole year.  During the Jacksonville winter, she plays soccer, which is generally a fall and spring sport in other areas of the country.  

Sheffler said, however, that she would like to learn how to bobsled, much like in the movie Cool Runnings.  That’s something you can’t do in a Florida winter. 

Although activities and fashion may be different in Michigan than in Florida and Texas, neither Sheffler nor Nguyen would rather attend any different university.  Nevertheless, both expressed excitement at being able to travel home during the spring semester. 

Sheffler said, “It’s nice to go home because it’s like a vacation.” 

For Nguyen, it’s especially enjoyable now “because the entire spring semester here is the winter.”  When she goes home, it means a 40-degree difference and the chance to wear flip-flops.