Why Chicago Quarter is a Great Experience

The Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago more commonly known as The Bean glistens in the sun.

Having grown up in the suburbs of Chicago, I was a bit hesitant about what new information I would learn about the city during immersion week at DePaul. However, after just one week in my Discover Chicago course with Professor Randall Honold, I quickly discovered the beauty of the opportunity.

A statue near the Chicago Riverwalk has been captured in black and white.

DePaul offers both Discover Chicago and Explore Chicago programs in the Chicago Quarter program for freshmen. I was initially confused about the difference, so if you’re unsure too, here’s a simple explanation: Discover Chicago starts the week before autumn quarter classes begin and includes an immersive first week. Explore Chicago, on the other hand, takes place during the regular quarter only. Both offer enriching and engaging experiences that teach about Chicago’s culture and history—so you really can’t go wrong either way!

My Chicago Quarter Experience

Having chosen to partake in a Discover Chicago course about photography with no photography experience, I wasn’t sure how it would go. Nonetheless, I felt immediately relieved on my first day of class that I made the right choice coming to DePaul. Professor Honold made the class incredibly accessible and welcoming for everyone. We didn’t even need to operate DSLR cameras—phone cameras were totally fine. (Every photo in this post was taken with mine!)

Colorful crochet flowers are for sale on the streets of Chinatown in Chicago.
A man with a telescope walks along a pier at a beach in Chicago.

While I did learn to take photos I was proud of, more importantly, I learned how to truly admire the city. By focusing on what I might normally walk right past, the experience allowed me to learn the invaluable skill of not taking the beautiful sights Chicago has to offer for granted. I also learned more about transportation, campus resources, and the university’s Honors Program!

Immersion week wasn’t just fun—it was also a great way to meet like-minded people and get to know future classmates. I loved that just a few days in, I was already recognizing familiar faces on the street, making the big city feel like home right away. 

So, to all the incoming students: go out and discover Chicago! You’ll be glad you did.

~Tessa

DePaul students walk down the streets of Chicago.

Learn more about Explore and Discover Chicago!