My move to Oxford, Ohio, was only five hours away from my home in Illinois, so I wasn’t really expecting there to be much difference. After all, it’s all the Midwest, right? Well as it turns out, there are quite a few things unique to Ohio that I’ve learned since moving here.

1. Graeter’s is life

When they have flavors like Buckeye chocolate chip and an extra scoop for only 50 cents, it’s hard to say no.

2. Scratch that… THE Ohio State is life

Literally everything in Ohio revolves around “THE” Ohio State University and their football team. I’m from Chicago where we’re known for our die-hard sports fans, but I don’t think even that can rival Ohioans’ love for Ohio State.

3. What’s so bad about Michigan?

Michigan is practically a curse word here; and if you ever even so much as think about rooting for Michigan, you better watch your back.

4. Chili goes on top of spaghetti…

… and everyone knows that the best place to get it is at Skyline.

5. Everyone listens to country music

Must have something to do with all the cornfields they have here.

6. There are approximately 5,000 state universities…

…and you feel super accomplished when you figure out what your in-state friends are talking about when they refer to OU, OSU, UC, UT, UD and BG.

7. What the heck is dotting the ‘I’?

I asked my roommate (who’s from Ohio) this question the other day, and her response was a stare that was a mix of horror, anger, and pure shock. For those of you who have been too afraid to ask, all you need to know is that it has something to do with Ohio State (big surprise, right?).

8. In-state students wonder why in the world you decided to come to Ohio

Despite the fact that some days I do think I might be certifiably insane for paying $46,000 a year to go to a state school, Ohioans don’t always realize how great their schools really are.

9. People from southern Ohio think they’re from the south

Just because Ohio touches Kentucky doesn’t mean you’re from the south.

10. Ohioans deny the fact that they have accents…

...but they most definitely do, and they like to put the emphasis on the wrong syllable (especially the ones who think they’re from the south).

11. The fall leaves never let you down

The beauty of fall here almost makes the long winter that follows it (somewhat) worth it.

12. People say sweeper instead of vacuum

You sweep the floor with a broom and vacuum the floor with a vacuum. Is this concept really that difficult to understand?

13. There’s no tax on food

I come from a city where tax on food is 8.5%, so when I discovered that my $4.15 latte at Starbucks is ACTUALLY only $4.15, it’s safe to say that my mind was blown.

14. Kroger is actually pronounced with an 'S' at the end?

Many Ohioans insist on pronouncing “Kroger” like “Kroger’s” even though I have yet to actually find one with an ‘s’ at the end of its name.

15. They play corn-hole here…

…and when you call it "bags" they make fun of you.

16. Ohio is actually a pretty great state

Although it may be a little different from what you’re used to, you’re glad that you decided to call Ohio home.