Students from Warmer Climates Share Thoughts on Winter in Bluefield

Although winter at Bluefield University is a season of beautiful scenery and cool temperatures, it is a completely different experience for students from warmer areas.

For Dylan Cutler, a senior from Fort Myers, Florida, and Nick Guerra, a senior from Miami, Florida, who both have lived their entire lives in the sun, their first winter in the Appalachian Mountains has been enlightening. The two students discussed how they adjusted to the colder weather and how the winter climate differs from that in their hometowns.

For starters, Cutler said he had never seen snow before coming to Bluefield. He remembers that first snowfall in with clarity.

“To get a grip of it, I immediately checked outside,” Cutler said. “I was shocked by how quiet everything became after snowfall. It’s clear and delightful. It felt strange to see snow for the first time. Like a snow globe that turned real, it appeared to be like from a movie.”

The reality of snow, however, soon gave way to a respect for the challenges of a Bluefield winter. Cutler acknowledges that the cold was difficult, specifically getting used to constantly below-freezing temps.

“I’m still adjusting to the cold,” he said. “I’ve come to realize how important layering is. At home in Fort Myers, it’s always warm, even throughout the winter. During the coldest months, we’re talking about 70-80 degrees.”

Cutler said he also takes pleasure in the outdoor winter activities that accompany the chilly weather and that he doesn’t get a chance to do at home. He said he views winter in Bluefield as a chance to try something new, even if he misses the warmth of Florida.

“I’ve only ever seen skiing and snowboarding on TV, but now I can try them for myself,” Cutler said. “It’s different from what I’m used to, but it’s cool to be in a place with so many seasons.”

Guerra has had similar experiences with winter at Bluefield. He said he has had to constantly adjust to the difference between the tropical warmth of his hometown and the cold of Bluefield.

“In Miami, winter means temperatures around 60 degrees at night and maybe a light sweater during the day,” Guerra said. “I definitely wasn’t prepared for temperatures below freezing. Sometimes the cold affects me. I miss Miami’s heat a lot when I’m trying to get to class in a snowfall or when I’ve been outside for too long, and my fingers aren’t feeling well.”

Guerra also said he wasn’t prepared for snow storms.

“I had never seen a snowstorm like this before,” he said. “It alters the atmosphere of daily existence. You have to be ready for slippery roads, and it takes longer to get anywhere.”

But, despite the challenges, Guerra said he has adjusted to winter and come to appreciate its advantages.

“Now, I realize how much pleasure it can be to spend my days in the snow, something I never would have thought possible,” Guerra said. “I’ve built snowmen, gone sledding, and even engaged in a snowball war with some of my roommates. I’ve discovered how to enjoy things I never would have imagined.”

Both Cutler and Guerra agree that Bluefield University provides a chance to experience a true four-seasons climate, even though winter is a completely different experience than what they are used to in Florida. Regardless of the cold weather and abundant snowfall, the two students say that winter at Bluefield has turned into an exciting time for them as college students.