It’s a magical feeling when the times you most need help and support, your fellow classmates are just a few feet away. It’s midterm week right now in Maxwell, and you can tell that dreams of sunshine and warmth are in everyone’s minds as we pour over our security studies papers and statistics notes while the snow gently falls outside the window in the Academic Village.

The Academic Village, also known as the “AV,” is a joint study space for students within the PAIA program, and in many ways it’s a place of great stress. But with great stress comes great bonding, and as I stare at my paper for Culture in World Affairs through a furrowed brow, I can rest easy knowing that five other people are doing the same thing just a few feet away. When I have questions about a point made in one of the books we have to read or an idea that the professor brought up in class, I can just ask someone and brainstorm ideas in the blink of an eye.

There are refrigerators and a small kitchenette to prepare lunch (or dinner), couches that you can work (or sleep) on, and a quiet room if you have to get away from all of the collaboration going on. With computers and printers as well as common areas for events, the AV ends up being the perfect shared social space to ensure that you won’t go crazy when you stare at that blank word document on your computer. Entrance is restricted by a passcode to get in, so you know that it’s secure and safe.

I think that’s one of the unique aspects of life here at Maxwell. Despite living in different parts of Syracuse, it’s so easy to get together and work on assignments or group projects. I think it breeds a culture of teamwork as well, because interacting with others helps to break down barriers and help people of different learn from one another.