As a foriegn student in Des Moines, IA.?

Question

This question has 2 parts.

Anyway, I'm a student who plans to study in Drake University in Iowa starting August. First of all, considering I come from Malaysia, which is as tropical as you can get, what are the things which I should get to prepare myself for the winter? Should I buy autumn clothing in Malaysia first and then get winter stuff in Iowa, because I'm not sure about the price of winter clothing in Iowa and the temperature. Plus I've never really experienced winter before.

Secondly, I don't intend to spend every waking moment studying. So, are there any interesting things in Iowa (and neighbouring states) that maybe I should check out? Any attractions of note?

Thanks.

P.S. If you're a student in Drake, hello. : )

Answer 1

Hi and welcome!

I'm not a Drake student. I'm too old for that. But I do teach at a few other colleges in the area. I also grew up near Drake. I really would like to say that we're happy you're here!

First, and you need to know this, Drake is a great area, but it is surrounded by a not so good area. For the most part, this is a peaceful city, but some people do get stupid. Just know where you are, and know that Drake security is very good.

Anyway, on to your questions, I think the person above me is right in saying the cold is a dry cold, but for a person coming from a tropical climate, it is VERY cold. My father is from Guyana, and he has never really adjusted to the cold. There are often stretches in the winter where the high temperature is in the single digits. We had a stretch of about two weeks last winter of nine degrees, six degrees, etc. as our high. It was miserable. The key is layers. Lots of layers. You can pick up great winter clothing for cheap at a few second hand stores, but I recommend Target! You don't need to shop local to get some warm clothing. Plus, our local clothing stores tend to be on the pricey side. Someone above recommended The East Village and Jordan Creek. Jordan Creek is about 20 minutes from where you are, so it's not convenient. The East Village might be easier for you to get to, but it is downtown, and parking can be a pain at times.

As for what to do, there are a lot of people who complain that there is nothing to do in Des Moines. Well, I've lived here 26 of my 28 years, and that is simply not true. Plus, I lived in a small city in Kansas, and after I got there, I couldn't WAIT to get back home. There's a ton more to do.

In the winter, it does get a little boring around here. We go a little stir crazy. So, be prepared for that. Not that there isn't much to do, but I recommend saving up indoor activities and trips to the malls for the winter. Roads can get nasty here, and sometimes, it's just best to stay home! But I do recommend checking out the skywalk system downtown in the winter. Basically, we have a bunch of above ground walkways that attach several of our buildings downtown. There are several businesses and restaurants to visit along the way, and it's nice to just see the interior of some of the prettier buildings. Also, I HIGHLY recommend checking out the local music scene. There's something almost every night.

As for the warmer months, I couldn't begin to list it all. One of my favorite things to do is go watch an Iowa Cubs game (minor league professional baseball). It's cheap, and it's very fun. In fact, after the sixth inning, you can get in for free. That's something even most locals don't know.

We have something called The Riverwalk which is new. It's just that: a walkway that stretches along the river. It's not totally finished, but it is pretty.

We have a live horse racing track and casino called Prairie Meadows which is where I spend a lot of my time in the summer. It is in a suburb called Altoona. It's a fun time even if you don't gamble.

I could go on and on, but I hope this helps a little. I fully welcome you to e-mail me if you have questions or specific interests. :)

Answer 2

I would buy your clothing here, prices are pretty reasonable and you'll have a better handle on what others are wearing. Stores like JCrew, Aeropostale and American Eagle Outfitters have good choices and decent prices for college students. Check out Jordan Creek Town Center, an amazing mixed use retail center. Oddly enough, Des Moines is a fairly hip city. Walk around the East Village neighborhood east of downtown, very cool. Iowa is a beautiful state, with plenty of lakes and outdoor activities like hiking and cycling are fun there. The nearest big city to Des Moines is Minneapolis/St Paul, which has a lot to do if you're missing big city urban life. It's 225 miles away, about 3 hours. Another fun road trip is Iowa City, which is the perfect college town (University of Iowa), and it's about an hour and a half east of Des Moines. Lots of shops, restaurants, bars and overall a nice place to hang out. All in all though, I think you'll find Des Moines entertaining enough. Prepare to be surprised.

Answer 3

The winters can be cold but it's a dry cold that's not to bad. Take what cold weather clothes you may have but you will have many opportunities to buy there. You won't believe Wal-Mart until you see it.

There's even used clothing at Salvation Army or Good Will can be good bargains. Unlike the 2nd hand clothing stores in Singapore and Malaysia, these are cleaned and hung on racks.

Don't go there wondering what else you are going to do, that will come in do course. First thing is you will be submerged in a new culture. If you are staying in a Dorm you'll have a better experience. My oldest daughter made the transition from Singapore to Truman University about 2 1/2hrs from Des Moines.

There will be lots of things to do and you will find entertainment in simple things like breakfast at midnight at a Pancake House. Don't forget to study!

Good Luck

Answer 4

I live in Indiana, which is part of the midwest, along with lowa. Winters can be pretty cold, especially if you're not used to it. You'll need warm shoes, thick cotton socks, hooded sweatshirts, a thick winter coat, gloves, and a hat. Prices in Iowa should be reasonable - the midwest is known for being laid back and conservative. There's not a lot of glitz and glamour (there is a lot of farmland, though!).


As for things to do, here is what Yahoo! Travel recommends:
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-6917504-iowa_things_to_do-i;_ylc=X3oDMTFka28zOGNuBF9TAzI3NjY2NzkEX3MDOTY5NTUzMjUEc2VjA3NzcC1kZXN0BHNsawN0aXRsZQ--