3 Reasons Why Parkside IRC Is The Best Freshman Dorm

By: Justin Negash ‘22

Getting Parkside IRC was definitely my last choice on the housing portal. Everyone I knew in USC was telling me how IRC was antisocial, dark, and “away from all the fun”. I thought my freshman year, for lack of better words, would suck. Instead, I got an experience unlike any other. 

Here are 3 reasons why Parkside IRC is the best freshman dorm.

Reason 1: Suite-Style Housing

Heading into my freshman year of college, I was definitely worried about living in a dorm room. Movies and shows depicted it as a cesspool of grime and dirt; filled with young adults who valued comfort over hygiene. As someone who valued their personal space, I was NOT trying to share a bathroom with my entire floor. Getting into Parkside IRC, then, was great because it allowed me to engage with other students while also maintaining my privacy. Instead of a traditional two-person dorm, Parkside IRC consists of suite-style apartments comprised of four two-person bedrooms and two bathrooms, all connected by a single hallway. 

Reason 2: Parkside Dining Hall

 I got to live right above a dining hall my freshman year and, honestly, it doesn’t get much better than that. Aside from the major convenience living right above brought me, Parkside Dining Hall’s world wide selection of culinary dishes easily made it the best USC had to offer. As a Freshman with my unlimited meal plan, I definitely enjoyed taking advantage of this benefit.

Reason 3: The World in My Hallway

The World in My Hallway: Perks aside, the best part about living at Parkside IRC lies in the diversity that fills its dorm rooms. Constantly surrounded by people from all walks of life definitely helped contribute to a college experience in which I wanted to focus on growth; whether it was in the classroom or in my own suite.

Despite the bad reputation Parkside IRC gets, the community there is one that’s helped me develop a deeper appreciation for cultures around the world. While not a knock on the other dorms—that are heavily influenced by American cultural and social norms—Parkside IRC gave me the opportunity to interact and grow with people I never imagined I would in my life. And, for that, I’m extremely grateful.

Shoutout Parkside Darkside.

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