Coming from California to Texas for college was definitely a game changer. I'm a born and raised California girl and had only heard stories of "The South" until I came to TCU, but boy do they live up to their stereotypes! There is nothing like Texas and if you go or plan on going to school here I guarantee you too will notice these differences:

COWBOYS, they actually do exist.

I had only seen cowboys on TV until coming to Texas, but they actually are a thing! Men in white wash jeans, button downs, a cowboy hat, and boots. They are the real deal ladies!!!

TEXMEX.

Mexican food has always been one of my favorites, but than I tried TexMex...and wow, my life will never be the same! Then there is queso... I personally had never even heard of queso until I came to the South, but now it's a staple part of my diet.

Fast food.

Starbucks is to CA as fast food is to TX. When driving around California, you'll notice a Starbucks on every street corner, but here in Texas, there's not a corner you can't find a Whataburger or Chick-Fil-a! You MUST try the honey butter chicken biscuit!!!!

Big T-shirts and Nike shorts.

On my first day, moving into my dorm I wore spanks and a TCU tank. Looking back, I couldn't have looked more ridiculous... No one here wears tight fitting workout clothes to class only big strat/frat T-shirts. California girls, you better get used to this!

Southern hospitality.

Texans are some of the sweetest people I have ever come into contact with. People go out of their way to smile, wave, or even say hello. The guys actually hold the door for you and even refer to women as "ma'am" in a casual context. They are respectable and welcoming, which I must say is refreshing...

Football fans like you've never seen em!

Football is the most important part of most Texan's lives. Game day is the biggest day of the week, football season is the biggest season of the year, and tailgates are unlike any tailgate you've ever attended. (Can I get a go frogs?!)

Pick up trucks.

F-150's are the most prominent vehicles on the Texas roads. I swear every male owns a pick up truck, but I'm not complaining! There's nothing like a Texas boy in a pick up truck...

Cowboy boots.

I don't know how I survived all of these years without a pair of cowboy boots. You can dress them up or dress them down. You don't dare attend a football game without your boots on! But of course, I wouldn't be caught dead in a pair back home in California...

You guys? No, Y'all.

This one gets me every time. People actually say "y'all!" "Y'all what are you doing tonight?" "Y'all should have been at Vark last night!" Never do people say "you guys"...

State Pride.

Everyone who lives in California loves California. Many of us don't realize how lucky we are to live in the state we do until we leave. BUT never have I seen a state more proud of their roots. Texans are actually obsessed with Texas.

From the people to the food, there's nothing like Texas. I highly recommend going to college in the South! It was one of the best decisions I could have made!