You can take the girl out of Massachusetts, but you certainly cannot take the Massachusetts out of the girl. Here are 13 things that happened when I left the great state of Massachusetts for college:

1. You get weird looks for saying “bubbler”

This one is really inevitable. I spent eighteen years of my life using the word “wicked” every other sentence and getting away with it, so changing that in college was no easy task.

3. You miss Dunks more than anything

4. You see tons of people with UMass, Boston College, or Boston University sweatshirts

This surprised me coming to school in a different state. I used to assume anyone who had gear from Massachusetts colleges were from Massachusetts like me, but that is definitely not true. These schools are more popular than you would think.

5. Why is clam chowder so different?

I will be honest, I have been too scared to order clam chowder anywhere now that I no longer live in New England. Even if it says it is New England clam chowder, you just know it will not be the same as if you were in Boston.

6. You are not fazed by any amount of snow

One of my last winters back home, my hometown received the most snow out of the whole state. Coming to a place that may be colder and snowier, I am still unfazed by the snowfall.

7. You continue to be a die-hard Boston sports fan

I will proudly talk to anyone who is willing to listen about the Patriots’ infamous 2017 Super Bowl win (28–3 WHO?). Even though I no longer regularly watch any of the Boston sports teams, I will continue to be a huge fan and I am proud of that.

8. Seafood is terrible in most other places

This goes along with the clam chowder conundrum. Seafood just is not the same when you are not right along the coast like Massachusetts is.

9. Candlepin bowling is only a New England thing?!

10. You know sprinkles vs. jimmies

Why are people so confused by this everywhere else besides Massachusetts?!

11. You do, in fact, pronounce your R’s

When I moved out of Massachusetts, I was really surprised to learn that I do not have a Boston accent. I do not know how I feel about this one – I would love to represent Boston with an accent, but they are not the most attractive accents to have.

12. Fenway is better than every other ballpark

I learned this mostly from traveling and from talking to peers at college about their home baseball stadiums. Fenway is unbeatable in every way.