Java City sparks meaningful conversations

Walking in, the smell of coffee brewing wafts through my nose. The barista behind the counter, a friend, greets me with a smile because I’ve been there so many times throughout the week. I immediately slide into the same seat by the entrance, not just because I am a creature of habit but because I want to be visible to the student I am meeting. Stepping into Charleston Southern University’s coffee shop, Java City, I feel as though I have stepped into my local coffee shop back home. 

There are many places to interact with friends on campus. I have found the Dining Hall to be the place where friends linger long after they have finished their lunch and before that dreaded afternoon class. I know the intramural field to be an iconic spot to cheer on friends from the sidelines—and a chance to meet someone new. Then there are the science building nooks and the library, where a student may go to be alone and study quietly. The library study rooms are a place to focus, but many times that is where students connect with their peers over a class project. While any one of these locations are places where someone could start a meaningful conversation, there is something a little extra special about sharing a conversation over a cup of coffee. Whether a student drinks a triple-shot iced latte or they are partial to a mango smoothie, Java has something for everyone. 

When I step into Java, I do not always know who I will meet. I have been a witness to students’ eyes lighting up when they round a corner and see a familiar face. I have observed first-time interactions where students smile and politely greet their acquaintance. Either way, Java is an inviting place where connections can be made. Its comfortable sofas and proximity to the library help students feel welcome. Whether a student is there to study, have a time of discipleship, or meet someone for the first time, Java provides a safe, approachable environment for anyone, regardless of their caffeine preferences. 

I have used Java as a location to invite many freshmen to coffee these past few weeks of the semester. I have gotten to know them on a spiritual level as well as academically. When I was a freshman in college, I longed for a friendship with an upperclassman to get to know them and share my struggles. This is your invitation to invite someone to coffee, even if you don’t know them. That initial invitation might just be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 

Jillian Davis is a senior communication major. She is an intern in the CSU Office of Marketing & Communication.

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