Since the population at universities often times includes a population from varying parts of the country/world, a common question you will get when meeting people is "where are you from?" Now, this question is easy for those coming from commonly known cities, however, when the question is turned on me, it's a hard one to answer. The problem is that when I just state the name of my hometown, no one knows where it is.
Now, us small town folks are different than our city-bred counterparts. Here are some things you just don't understand unless you come from the literal middle of nowhere:
1. You can't just say the name of your town without the response being "where?"
Sure I could just say I'm from Hanover, but you right now are probably asking yourself where that is. Therefore, my usual response typically involves me saying I live near a more commonly known place. Most often, I say I live near Gettysburg (thank you Civil War for making this place known!). In reality, I live about 30 minutes from Gettysburg, but you get the gist. I'm sure that ALL people from small hometowns have to battle this issue.
2. You have a go-to response for those cases when people do ask where you live.
"Drive 15 miles south of Philadelphia, cross a bridge, and then drive another 30 minutes west. So basically I live right outside of Philadelphia."
3. Going to a large university can be overwhelming.
This one is especially true for me, where my university itself is probably bigger than my entire hometown.
4. You are not used to so many people condensed in one area.
You went from seeing the same 10 people everywhere you went in your hometown to feeling like you're walking through Times Square in New York City.
5. You aren't used to having so many options for things to do.
On Friday nights in my hometown, everyone either went to the movies or hung around home. When I transitioned to college, the activities available were endless, something I was not used to.
6. You are so used to doing nothing, so that's probably what you end up doing most of that time.
Old habits die hard.
7. That one time you do decide to step out of your comfort zone, you can't help but feel a little regret.
Your friend Becky from Miami finally convinced you to go to that 18+ club with her, and you spend most of the time wishing you were watching a movie in your dorm.
8. You know some weird fact about your town to counteract anytime someone says something interesting about where they are from.
Sure, maybe your city is "the Capitol of The United States," but the President once flew in his private jet over my town, so we are pretty much on the same level.
9. The odds of you knowing someone from your hometown at school are slim.
You probably know people from big cities who go to college with 10 people from their high school's graduating class, but you graduated with 60 other people, so the chances of going to college with someone you graduated is slim (but it definitely happens!).
10. You wouldn't change your hometown for the world.
None of your college friends will probably ever be able to pick out where you live on the map, but you wouldn't want it any other way.
