When starting the search for my perfect college, the requirement at the top of my list was simple: Get Me Out of the South. I wanted to be somewhere where I could wear leggings and big sweaters BEFORE Christmas time, and I was sick and tired of dealing with Georgia’s humidity.
Thankfully, I was blessed to find my dream school, Fordham University, right outside of New York City. Living in the Big Apple is like something out of a movie, and I firmly believe that my school has one of the prettiest college campuses in the entire world. Even though I absolutely adore Fordham and am ecstatic to be out of Georgia, there are a few things that are just unbeatable about the South.
1. Sweet Tea
While Southern sweet tea may be a direct road to a sugar-induced coma, no one can ever say that it’s not delicious. The few places up North that actually serve “sweet tea” put in only a fraction of the sugar, and most places do not even attempt this Southern delicacy.
2. Excitement Over the Little Things
Every Christmas Eve, when Ryan Seacrest comes to my town to celebrate with his family, it is the highlight of the holiday. I know multiple people that will rearrange their whole days in order to attend the same church service as him, and people talk about it for days on end. In New York, seeing a celebrity is shockingly normal, and most people don’t even look twice at them. But, I’ll be honest - I definitely tried to sneak some pictures when I sat next to James Corden at dinner last night.
3. REAL Barbecue
A Northern barbecue consists of hamburgers, fruit salad, and potato chips. Sure, they have a few important elements correct, but where is the mac ‘n’ cheese? Where is the huge platter of pulled pork? I don’t see a pitcher of Arnold Palmer anywhere! New York pizza may be superior, but nothing can beat a real Southern barbecue.
4. Driving with the Windows Down
Some of my best memories of the summer are driving around in a certain red Jeep with the windows down and country music blasting. Down South, people like to sit in the back of trucks or hang out of car windows and let everyone else on the street know exactly what they’re listening to. In New York, trying to play music on your form of transportation (the subway) is sure to get you a few dirty looks and probably some insults about your choice of songs.
5. The Close-Knit Community
In a small town right outside of Atlanta, you’re sure to see someone you know every single time you leave your house. When you’re tired or grumpy or haven’t showered that day, this can be a bit frustrating. But it’s also the most comforting feeling in the world when you can receive a smile from someone no matter where you are or what you look like.
6. Air Conditioning
As a state that has snow for multiple months every year, New Yorkers must think that air conditioning is NEVER really a necessity. This is wrong and bad and just plain cruel. Obviously, a lot of places in the city are air conditioned during the hot months, but the subways and dorm rooms and train stations fail to realize how miserably hot it is outside. In Georgia, we keep every building icicle-cold in the summer (and spring, and fall - it’s necessary). But, I know that I am going to be begging for this heat in about a month…
7. Y'all
The other day, one of my classmates tried to film me saying "Y'all" for her Snapchat story. Apparently, people in New York did not realize that this was a real word that people actually use - they thought it was just a stereotype from movies! Back home, nobody blinks an eye about the way any of us talk, and "y'all" might be the most used word of all.
Don’t get me wrong—I am absolutely head over heels in love with New York City. I am a strong believer that it is the greatest city in the world, and if anyone ever thinks that they need to grow up or practice independence, they should be forced to figure out this city. But no matter how amazing my new home may be, the South will always be pretty dang special to this Georgia girl.
