Moving to college can prove to be quite the transition for any young adult leaving home. Being transplanted from a small rock in the Pacific to the hustle and bustle of Charm City adds to that change, topping off newfound freedom with the experience of discovering, essentially, a whole different world and lifestyle. Here are 12 key differences I picked up between Hawai'i and the mainland:

1. Seasons. Seasons. SEASONS.

Coming from a place with summer year round, the leaves' exploding with color led me to fall in love with autumn -- not to mention experiencing tromping around in leaf piles firsthand.

2. The cold did bother me anyway.

I'm the type of person that puts on a sweater when the temperature drops below 75°F. 'Nuff said.

3. There are roads where the speed limit is above 60 mph.

Needless to say, I was a bit shocked when I rode down the freeway at 90 mph. Also, people are much less friendlier drivers on the mainland, using the "one-finger salute" liberally.

4. Speaking pidgin just isn't a thing.

I often find myself having to translate phrases or words I slip into conversation, such as "scrap 'em" (fight them) or "slippah" (flip-flop). Pidgin is a language spoken only by locals in Hawai'i, which stems from a mixing of different cultures, i.e. "haole" (Caucasian), Japanese, Hawaiian, and Filipino.

5. Milk is actually a reasonable price.

Due to the Jones Act, imported goods in Hawai'i are very expensive. For example, a gallon of milk is around $7.99. Unfortunately, as most of the consumer goods are imported, prices are often inflated.

6. The beach is more than 15 minutes away on the mainland.

Being surrounded by water has its perks. The beach is always accessible; people can surf, bodyboard, fish, or tan at any time, whether on the weekends or after a rough day at school.

7. People look at me oddly when I call the custodians "auntie" or "uncle."

In Hawai'i, as a measure of aloha spirit, we often call elders or family friends "auntie/uncle" and people our age "cousin" as a term of endearment and respect.

8. Squirrels -- lots of them!

Somehow, squirrels never quite made it to Hawai'i; we have mongooses instead. And yes, I am like Dug from "Up."

9. You learn how to live without a kama'aina discount.

If you're a local, you can get what's called a "kama'aina" -- local, or literally, child of the land -- discount on purchases. Because of the high amount of tourism, prices are often elevated at restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions such as Waikiki (pictured above).

10. The affinity for spam and rice doesn't translate on the mainland.

Rice is a staple with every meal -- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, spam is a legit food in Hawai'i and is used to create delicious foods such as fried rice, musubi, and spam and eggs.

11. People are given lei in Hawai'i to celebrate any important occasion.

This is me at high school graduation after trading candy and flower lei with all of my friends. At events such as graduations, weddings, and departures, lei are often ceremoniously given as a symbol of love, friendship, and celebration.

12. Everyone questions why you ever left Hawai'i by choice.

And why wouldn't they, with views like this?