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Arriving to Erie, Pennsylvania in Wintertime/during the Christmas and New Year Holidays

Holiday Hours for Gannon University and U.S. Businesses and Agencies

Americans celebrate the December holidays in a number of ways, but generally, business offices, schools,  and universities, govermental agencies, restaurants, etc. close on December 24 and 25, and again on December 31 and January 1. Some offices, schools, and agencies close for the week between Christmas (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1). Although transportation systems operate trhoughout the holidays, services may be more limited.

Winter Transportation Issues

Winter weather often causes delay for planes, trains, and buses. Unfortunately, if weather is the cause for a delay, companies are not legally obliged to compensate you for lost connections, meals, or overnight accommodations. Many transportation companies and the staff of airports and train/bus stations will, however, make an effort to assist you in meeting some of your needs. What can you do?!

• Be sure to call or search online the status of your scheduled departure and how delays will affect connections. Be prepared to stay overnight at a connection point, possibly at your own expense, if the weather turns bad.
• Submit the Gannon University Arrival Form at least two weeks before your arrival to Erie if you intend to request assistance with local transportation. We will confirm pick-up dates, times, and location by email and phone in advance of your arrival.
• If you plan to arrange for your own local transportation, be aware that outside of taking a taxicab with door-to-door service, you may need to walk a short distance in the snow or ice. Dress warmly from head to toe!!

Clothing

Although it is not necessary to pack a full range of cold-weather clothing (since you may not have room in your luggage for the bulk and you will be able to purchase clothing here locally), you should still plan to dress warmly for your final arrival in Erie. If you do not have a heavy coat with you, plan to wear several layers of clothing and also to wear shoes that are sturdy and well-soled. It is good to have a hat, gloves, and scarf, as well, but otherwise you can purchase these items soon after your arrival.

Once you settle into temporary or permanent housing, you can take a Transpo (city bus) from Perry Square down to the Millcreek Mall shops and purchase clothing. It is also possible to buy good quality used clothing at area thrift, consignment, and second-hand shops. There is a thrift shop in downtown Erie a few blocks south of campus, Erie City Mission Thrift, 914 State, and also a Salvation Army store within a half mile of campus at 1209 Sassafras. You can locate other second-hand, thrift, and consignment clothing stores by consulting the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory or using your favorite online search engine.

In the first weeks after class begins, the ISO and Gannon University’s Student Government will also begin to sponsor weekly shuttles to area stores that will allow you to purchase clothing and food.

Permanent Housing

As mentioned earlier in these pages, Gannon University does not offer campus housing for graduate students. Graduate students will need to search for housing independently, but there are a number of apartments and rooms available near campus. You can begin the search online from your home country or by making phone calls to area landlords and property management companies to set an appointment for apartment viewing. The ISO will make catalogs and other apartment listings available to you after your arrival.

Despite the cold weather, it is also possible to walk through the neighborhoods near Gannon and get an idea of what is available from signs and notices posted on the buildings.

Keep in mind that with the cold weather, your housing expenses will be higher because of heat and electricity, and you should be sure to ask specifically about what the projected costs for these utilities will run above the rent and any other required deposits.

Use your favorite search engine for Erie apartment listings, or here is one site to get you started: http://www.rentalguideerie.com/. You will receive more information about leases, starting your heat and electricity services, etc. at International Student Orientation in January or by stopping in to the ISO for our informational sheets.

Food

Again, because so many area businesses close during the holidays, you may not be able to find as many open restaurants and grocery stores at the end of December and the first few days of January. The Waldron Student Center on campus also has shortened daytime hours and is closed throughout the holidays as posted on the Gannon University Web pages.

Nevertheless, a few grocery stores remain open in the downtown area, and you will be able to take a city bus from Perry Square to other large shopping centers located south of campus. Once classes begin after January 14, you will be able to take an ISO or Student Government shuttle to reach area grocery stores.