Squirrel World is a telling metaphor or pet name for the lovely squirrel-filled city of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The term was first coined by Jay Borchert, a PhD student in Sociology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor after he moved from the squirrel-free world of Chicago to squirrel world to begin his graduate work. When in Ann Arbor, you'll be sure to see people feeding squirrels, squirrels crossing the street, squirrels wandering up to people as if to ask "what's up" and the fattest most well-fed squirrels in the U.S.
For example, I went to Merida, Mexico for vacation which is "iguana world" and then returned to squirrel world, granola, and academic life.
by PhDeeJay March 5, 2012