Commuters at Biola University enjoy their commuter life for many reasons. They may not want to live on campus in the dorms with a roommate. On-campus housing may not meet their needs, while off-campus living is better on their finances.
An array of reasoning
These students may choose to live with their family in La Mirada or other cities. Some have jobs managing the apartment building they live in. Others own homes. For all these students, the commute is their way of living. While studying at Biola University, college students choose the option to not live on campus in the dorm housing, but to live the commuter’s life.
Nevah Frogozo, part-time Old Testament graduate student, moved to La Mirada to live near the university. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is also auditing a swim class to keep her physically active during the spring 2017 semester.
Sometimes, she packs lunches from home for her meals while on campus, or has lunch or dinner at the Caf every other evening.
“I stay at school to study in the library to keep a good rhythm with my school workload,” Frogozo said. “Commuting from home to Biola is fine — I have no complaints.”
A peaceful commute
Taylor Rapinchuk, a 21-year-old senior from California, is a communication sciences and disorders major. She walks to the university every day for class from the cross streets of Rosecrans Boulevard and Biola Avenue. Her home is 15 minutes from the university. She enjoys listening to her music while walking.
“I like walking, and I get my physical exercise. It is a peaceful time for me,” Rapinchuk said. “I do not have any complaints about my commute.”
Rapinchuk only has classes during the morning and afternoon, and is therefore only on campus during those times. When she is finished with her classes, she is ready for her walk home. She only walks in the day, and some nights she will get a ride with her friends to work out in the weight room and gym.
No complaints
Ariel Bollant is vice president of the Talbot Association of Students. He was born in Vancouver, Canada, and speaks some French. However, he was a missionary kid and grew up in the Philippines for 19 years. When Bollant returned to the United States, he attended Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian thought, and became well-versed in Biblical Greek.
He also lived in Minnesota, where he met his wife Belle. The newlyweds moved overseas to Davao, Philippines for a year, to work as high school teachers on an American curriculum.
In the fall of 2015, Bollant began his graduate studies in philosophy. The 27-year-old walks to the university from his apartment, which he manages, on Rosecrans Boulevard. It takes him 15 minutes to arrive to campus.
“I like to eat in the Caf. They have reasonable rates,” Bollant said. “The weather is beautiful, I do not have any complaints. I am thankful when it rains — they provide a shuttle service.”
In spite of their 15 minutes or fewer commute to campus and their different backgrounds, commuters have a community unlike any other. They range in all aspects of life, and while some complain about commuting from afar, locals agree with having pleasant drives and walks to Biola.
