<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/news/2025/experience-lakeland-like-a-local.html" dsn="news"><featured/><pubDate>04/02/2026</pubDate><title>Experience Lakeland Like a Local</title><author/><image><img src="/_resources/images/news/2025/experience-lakeland-like-a-local/4-3-md-experience-lakeland.avif" alt="Three students eating a meal at a local Lakeland restaurant"/></image><caption>Experience Lakeland Like a Local</caption><thumbnail/><summary>Lakeland is a small city with big charm. Located between Tampa and Orlando, it’s the kind of place that surprises people, not with over-the-top attractions, but with its warmth, character, and strong sense of community.</summary><description>Lakeland is a small city with big charm. Located between Tampa and Orlando, it’s the kind of place that surprises people, not with over-the-top attractions, but with its warmth, character, and strong sense of community. With 38 lakes scattered across the city, you’re never far from a scenic v...</description><tags><tag>Admissions</tag></tags></item>