The transitional move to college meant a few things were bound to change. Friends, education, surroundings, people, food, essentially everything.
What makes a person who they are really stems from where they grew up and where they are originally born and raised. Having lived in New York my entire life so far, I’ve realized that there is definitely a much bigger world out there than the bubble that is Long Island. I’ve known that for a while though, which is not something most people experience at a younger age. From sleep-away camp, to summer study programs in the midwest, to vacationing in various countries, I became very accustomed to the diverse world that surrounds me and could not wait to go to school outside of my home state to experience even more.
Specific to the south, my perspective through the lens of a college student has developed into something more than just mere observation, but has conformed to listening to what my friends, professors, and other students from the North have had to say about their experiences as well. It’s interesting to find those people who are as adventurous and curious to scope out new sights and culture as I am.
Below, I've recounted a few /very/ accurate representations of typical reactions to some Southern-flared styles that I've picked up on by friends.*
(*Disclaimer: I go to Emory; aka the only Southern living I’m used to is Atlanta; aka the Northeast of the South; aka these are a bit exaggerated and probably common, but still pretty accurate.)
1. The highways on Long Island are nothing compared to the six-laned parkways in Georgia, and it's a bit terrifying.
2. (In addition to number 1) There are bad drivers in both of these states, but that can really expand anywhere across the US, so that’s not too unusual.
3. Fried chicken and waffles aren’t as cracked up as they’re told to be. (Truth be told though, Flying Biscuit does make a good chicken gravy and biscuits)">
4. Why is it 70 degrees in January? Why can’t I ever wear a sweater without sweating through it?!
5. "Where are the southern accents, is no one from the south? The Emory bubble is so real. Everyone's literally from New York"6. Thriving off of Starbucks because Dunkin' Donuts who????7. W.a.f.f.l.e. H.o.u.s.e.8. Nobody's preppy down here, besides the northerners
