Summers in St. Louis get a bad rap: Here’s what the StudLife staff has to say about theirs

The Student Life staff had plenty of adventures this past summer, but a special shout-out to those who survived a summer in St. Louis. The infamous summer, clouded by scorching humidity and grueling internships, is a necessary part of the WashU experience. As we approach the next semester and students look ahead to their plans for summer 2025, the StudLife team wants you to know what a summer in St. Louis will entail, including the ups, the downs, and everything in between.

Lore WangWang, a contributing writer and sophomore at WashU, interned at the Sierra Club this summer, where he did extensive research on energy burden in six STL neighborhoods. Wang worked outdoors for eight hours a day, knocking on strangers’ doors to ask about their utility bills, which was an exhilarating and exhausting experience. If that wasn’t enough, Wang picked up two other jobs, at a coffee shop in the Loop and at the Sumers Rec Center.

Wang found work on Handshake, a platform she recommends to all students looking for their next summer job. “If all else fails, I can attest to printing out 20 copies of my resume (half of them accidentally printed double-sided) and walking up and down the Loop to see if anyone was hiring,” Wang said. “You might get weird looks, but you might also get compliments on your ‘courage,’ and that’s a fun word.”

Outside of work, Wang enjoyed exploring secondhand antique markets (particularly the UCity or Tower Grove farmers markets) as well as enjoying the air conditioning of the UCity library. He even began enrolling in research studies to earn a little extra money on his free afternoons.

To beat the heat, Wang recommends buying a folding paper fan. “It’s probably the cheapest and most convenient way to keep cool, and you can keep it in your pocket or purse,” she says. “Plus, you look really stylish unfolding a whole fan and parading down the street in your own personal breeze.”

Alicia GottesmanEditor-in-Chief and senior at WashU, worked two jobs last summer: One completed remotely in communications for a youth-serving nonprofit.And the other in person at WashU’s Kemper Museum of Art! Working as the museum’s assistant registrar, Gottesman’s duties ranged from archival research to maintaining collection records. Because of her connection to Kemper through her art history major, she found her internship by emailing the registrar to request opportunities and working directly with the team to create a position for her over the summer.

Just as she enjoyed learning the ins and outs of museum operations, she also enjoyed making friends and adventuring around the city. Whether it was dining at the Songbird Café for delicious breakfast sandwiches, winning Wednesday trivia contests at downtown bars, or driving to Lake Lou Yaeger to take in the scenic views, Gottesman kept herself busy and excited.

“I think being in St. Louis during the summer is a great opportunity to get out of the WashU bubble,” she said. “You’ll probably be less busy than during the school year, so you’ll be able to explore new neighborhoods, try new restaurants, and check off some items on your bucket list.”

Bri Nitsburg, A photography editor and junior at WashU, she was busy running her own full-time business this past summer, which includes a college lifestyle blog and a corresponding online store selling digital planners for college students. While the work was mostly remote, she found new study spots for the semester by working in different libraries and buildings every day.

Although Nitsburg thoroughly enjoys her job, she made sure to make time to get out and enjoy the city. “I loved going to the Muny during the summer to see all their shows,” she said. “They have free seating in the back, so it was a great way to have an evening activity without having to spend any money.”

Giraldo girlCo-editor-in-chief and a senior at WashU, Giraldo prepared for her editor-in-chief position by working as a features reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She found the position through Student Life the previous fall, where she applied and was accepted. A self-described foodie, Giraldo made sure her summer in St. Louis was filled with tasty meals and fun day trips.

“Meskerem Ethiopian restaurant on South Grand Blvd. is life-changing,” she said. She also recommends Terror Taco, just down the street, as a great vegan option with a spooky vibe. To make sure she didn’t pass up dessert, she also ventured to St. Charles to try Grandma’s Cookies, the highly acclaimed bakery that is ranked No. 1 in the country. “They were good, sure, but that might be a stretch,” she said.

With advice to look at St. Louis through the lens of a tourist who is in town for the summer, she really enjoyed exploring the city and its many offerings and getting out of the WashU bubble.

Sydney TranDesign Lead and a third-year student at WashU, she worked as a research assistant in WashU’s Cognitive Control and Psychopathology Lab. She found this opportunity by speaking with her instructional assistant for her Psychopathology and Mental Health class and has been working there since last summer.

While she was busy with research, Tran found time to get out in the summer sun and recommended that others pack their water bottles and find shady spots near trees to avoid getting sunburned. One of her favorite activities was going to the The St. Louis Punk Rock Market, which she heard about through word of mouth among locals, made her feel part of the St. Louis community.

For food, she loves Korean restaurant Sides of Seoul, a classic takeout spot she’s become familiar with. “I’ve taken the time to get to know the owners and they really treat every customer like family,” she said. Tran recommends everyone talk to strangers to learn more about St. Louis’ hidden gems.

Lily Taylor, A research editor and junior at WashU, she spent this summer interning in WashU’s Marketing and Communications office, which taught her a lot about the marketing field and the strategic decisions WashU makes. To find this position, she connected with an advisor from her club who works in the field. She recommends this way of finding internships, as connecting directly with people is a much easier way to talk about opportunities and find the right one for you.

To stay cool, Taylor spent a lot of time this summer relaxing at the Millbrook Pool. An avid runner, she didn’t let the heat slow her fitness down, as she tailored her schedule to run early in the morning and late at night. She also joined a summer frisbee league and enjoyed strolling through the Tower Grove Farmers Market nearly every weekend.

While she admits that summer in St. Louis is quite different than at WashU during the semester, she encourages WashU students to embrace that difference. She made new friends and explored the city from a new perspective. “Sure, it was different, but it was different in a fun and exciting way,” she said.

Zach Trabitz, A research editor and third-year student at WashU, Trabitz spent this summer working as a Gephardt St. Louis Fellow intern at the St. Louis Museum of Contemporary Art, tapping into his curiosity about art history and pushing him to engage with all of the city’s neighborhoods. Trabitz applied to Gephardt (specifically for the Art Engagement Fellowship) in late February on a whim, and was pleasantly surprised when he landed the position despite having no prior experience working in a museum. He recommends that students apply to as many places as possible when looking for opportunities. While Trabitz admits that he was rejected from many places before Gephardt, all it takes is one to succeed!

Outside of work, Trabitz had plenty of time to travel with his roommate.and in his car, as he takes trips to Kansas City, Indianapolis and Los Angeles. In St. Louis, he loves the Laumeier Sculpture Park and the Contemporary Art Museum for views, as well as Soup Dumplings STL for the best Chinese food in town. “It really depends on what you do with it,” Trabitz said. “As long as you’re proactive about making plans, you can really find a lot to do in St. Louis.”