Life in St. Augustine
Flagler’s stunning campus is located in Saint Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the United States, with its iconic Spanish architecture, quaint brick streets, and idyllic palm trees. Every college has its own “scene,” and Flagler has one that is unique.
Its scene is a mixture of history, tourism, and architecture. Put simply, if you enjoy the small things, you’ll quickly grow to appreciate this town for all it has to offer. Although the “big city experience” isn’t a major aspect in St. Augustine, it’s still a community that’s full of history, arts, culture, and the beach.
Some of our campus’s favorite activities, such as taking the family to Nights of Lights, a stroll down historic St. George Street, and dressing up for dinner downtown with friends, are sure to make your time spent in St. Augustine memorable.
This city you’ll soon become immersed in will become the backdrop for the next four years of your life; thus, the more you learn about all it has to offer, the more comfortable you’ll feel.
Budget-Friendly Concerts and Live Music
Music is an outlet for many Flagler students; it understands us when others can’t.
Flagler students enjoy attending concerts and getting out of their dorm rooms, and St. Augustine has so many venues and opportunities for them to hear their favorite artists live.
Prior to my arrival at Flagler, I had not heard of the Sing Out Loud Festival or Flagler Fest. This is because these are special events offered in partnership between the award-winning St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Flagler’s Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. Since participating in these events, I have developed a deeper appreciation and attachment to music, as I aim to attend all of their events held annually.
Flagler Fest is a free, private concert held every spring at the Amp for students and a guest. The artists performing vary each year, but one thing is always consistent: they never fail to disappoint!
The Sing Out Loud Festival brings nationally recognized and local musicians together for a month of community concerts. The Live Wildly showcase brings top-tier artists to St. Augustine for two days of fun and music. Through Flagler’s partnership with the Amp, students are provided with the opportunity to attend the showcase for free or at a discount. These concerts are more than just entertainment. They’re a chance to unplug from the pressures of the classroom and make memories with friends and fellow classmates.
If you prefer listening to live music in a more intimate setting over packed concerts, there are places throughout town that offer this frequently. Places such as The Colonial Oak Music Park, Mill Top Tavern, and Listening Room have live music during the week and into the weekend. Less than a five-minute walk from the residence halls, it's easy to head to these places to kick your night off with great music.
The Flagler Student Discount
As college students, we know budgets can be tight. The good news is that the moment you step foot in St. Augustine, you are surrounded by businesses that offer a student discount; all you have to do is show your Flagler ID!
Flagler’s our own merchandise and gift store, Flagler’s Legacy, offers students the ability to purchase gifts for family, branded apparel, or items to personalize their new home.
A few places throughout downtown I’d recommend using your student discount are: The St. Augustine Lighthouse, The Lightner Museum, St. Johns County Parking, Pizzaalleys, Cousteau's Waffle and Milkshake Bar, and more! Had I known there were places around town offering a student discount, I would have taken advantage of this early on in my time at Flagler. Save this as a reminder to get that sweet treat or t-shirt with your student discount next time!
Recognition Opportunities
Being a student at Flagler gives you ample opportunity for your success to be celebrated inside and outside of the classroom. Whether you are a member of a club or organization or simply focusing on your own academic journey, there’s room for your hard work to be recognized.
The College offers awards and recognitions for students, athletes, staff, and clubs. In addition to this, they even offer awards to Flagler alumni, meaning there’s no shortage of congratulations here.
I wouldn’t have thought I’d be one to receive an award; however, I managed to exceed my expectations. If you have a hard time putting yourself out there, awards are given to students whose work and dedication speak for themselves.
Opportunities such as the Distinguished Major Award, President’s List Recipient, and Dean’s List Reception are ceremonies that help you feel appreciated and seen. Really, there’s nothing like a room full of those you love cheering you on for your accomplishments!
If you would prefer not to stand out as an individual, you can become part of an organization, club, or both that you find interesting.
Awards for collaboration, outstanding events, and values are on the table when you decide to become involved in Flagler’s campus life. These accomplishments are then posted to your merit page. Every student has a merit page built to help effectively market their resumes and accomplishments.
Exploring Campus and Beyond
One last thing you should know before attending Flagler is that it will provide you with a transformative experience as a student through the Flagler Sophomore High Impact Practice (FlagSHIP) program.
This signature program gives the students the opportunity to focus on real-world learning experiences like Study Abroad and collaborative, community-based partnerships. This program is an essential part of your time at Flagler, where you will get to make new friends and memories and experience new cultures. If traveling abroad isn’t on your bucket list, there are plenty of community-based courses and undergraduate research opportunities to ensure you have an impactful FlagSHIP experience.
You may even be given the opportunity to apply for the honors program study abroad, which was one I was fortunately able to partake in.
My transformative experience consisted of traveling to Würzburg, Germany, to learn the history of this city in comparison to St. Augustine’s. Our efforts were then compiled into a presentation to conclude the trip, although we had time for sipping on milkshakes, conversing with German royalty, and eating schnitzel in different ways. If this sounds like something you are eager to partake in, FlagSHIP offers scholarships you can apply for to alleviate the financial burden of travel costs. From inside a classroom to flying overseas, the possibilities for transformation are endless!
During the transition period after graduating from high school and preparing for the move, learning what your new home has to offer you beforehand is crucial to your success there. Unsurprisingly, what I previously mentioned isn’t everything.
Once you arrive on Flagler's breathtaking campus, take time to enjoy local coffee spots, make good thrift finds, and catch some rays on the beach.
