Being one of the few students from New Jersey at Santa Clara University, I’m like a rare species, and NJ might as well be on a different planet because the culture and lifestyle are just so different than that of the Bay Area in California. Most of my friends have never visited NJ and have no plans to. Yet, I constantly get asked questions about “what it’s like over there.” So, to all the people who are wondering about life in NJ, this is for you.

1. It snows here

When I was younger, we had this thing called snow days and delayed openings, where we didn’t have to go to school or only went for half a day, because there was too much snow outside and made road conditions icy and unsafe.

2. As a matter of fact, we have all four seasons here

Fall, winter, spring, and summer, the changing of seasons is probably one of the things I miss most about NJ.

3. When we reference “the city,” we mean NYC

Not Newark, not Jersey City.

4. Not everyone knows each other

No, I’ve never seen Snooki at the Jersey Shore and Halsey didn’t go to my high school. We’re a small state but not THAT small. (In fact, we’re the most densely populated state, so there’s a LOT of people who live here.)

5. There’s no such thing as a “Jersey accent”

“Oh, you’re from NJ? Where’s your accent?” is the typical response I get from my peers. No one from NJ actually has an accent, and the accents represented on Jersey Shore are more like a New York/Brooklyn accent if you ask me (maybe because the majority of the cast isn’t even from here).

6. And no one says “Joisey” or “Jersey” for short

Unless you’re from out of state.

7. There are actually kind people who live here

Some people are surprised I’m from NJ since I seem “too nice” to be from the East Coast. Well, let me tell you, not everyone from NJ is rude, loud, or obnoxious. Don’t believe the stereotypes you see on TV.

8. Boba is basically nonexistent

In the Bay Area, you won’t go half a mile without running into a boba shop, but here? I can think of one frozen yogurt shop and a Chinese restaurant that sell below mediocre bubble tea. The boba trend has yet to come to the East Coast.

9. Diners are our specialty

That's why I have such high expectations for California diners because you can’t go wrong with eating at a New Jersey diner. That’s just a fact.

10. It’s illegal to pump our own gas

So that’s why I cut myself pumping gas for the first time this summer, okay?

11. The Jersey Shore is quite beautiful

What's there to do in NJ? Well, in summer, going to the shore is a popular pastime. Who knew beaches here could be so breathtaking?

12. Only we can hate on our state

Growing up in NJ had its ups and downs, and by the end of high school, I was ready to leave and live somewhere new. Nonetheless, if I ever hear someone making fun of NJ, I will defend my state. It’s a love-hate relationship, but in the end, Jersey pride always wins.