<p>Recently, I've been interested in possibly attending UGA in the Fall of 2013. Also, I've been looking at Ole Miss for the last month or two, but it's starting to fade off my list. Things about the South in general make me kind of skeptical about attending: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>The Area
I'm from Philadelphia, which is a huge Northern city. Relocating to Athens, GA would probably be a tough transition because I'm not used to living in a rural area. I would miss everything about Philly (Except the winter weather!). The thing I would probably miss the most is watching my Phillies.</p></li>
<li><p>The Culture
I'm worried how Southerners might treat me just because I'm from the North and don't know their culture. I know that there are huge and distinguishable differences between Northern and Southern culture. I guess after a while I would get to know it well, but I wonder how people may initially treat me because I'm a Northerner.</p></li>
<li><p>The Food
I don't know if there are any Wawa's or cheesesteak joints I could go to down there like I can here in Philly. I would miss some of the foods I enjoy up here.</p></li>
<li><p>The Places
As I mentioned above, I don't know if there are any Wawa's in GA. Also, are there any big malls down there? Up here, I can go to the King of Prussia, which is the largest mall on the East Coast. I can also go to numerous other malls in PA, Jersey, and Delaware that are close to Philly.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So how is life down there in the South different than life up here in the North? Is there that significant of a difference, or am I just over-exaggerating?</p>
<p>I think you are over-exaggerating somewhat. Yes, the cultures are different, but that doesn’t mean that people will treat you negatively because you are from the North.</p>
<p>Southerns generally have that “southern hospitality.” You may feel out of place, but that’s okay. You won’t be the only Northerner at your college. As for the food, I’m sure you’ll find many things you like in the South. There are malls in the South, they aren’t cave men… However, they might not be as big and nice as you are used to having. </p>
<p>Overall, education should be your biggest priority, correct?</p>
<p>I think you’re over-emphasizing the perceived differences. While not as extreme as some of the examples in this 66 page long thread, maybe step back a little. Maybe you should travel more.</p>
<p>If you really want to be a healer, you better learn quickly that your patients will come from many backgrounds – a good number from ones vastly different than yours.</p>
<p>There is shopping in the South, there is food in the South. And while you may not get a perfect Philly Cheesesteak while you are there, you will find other great food that you can’t get in Philadelphia. You will not be the only kid from the East Coast there, as well. It is a very well-respected school and you will find that you are not the only Northerner to find the South an appealing place to be. </p>
<p>What college student spends time at the mall when there is an entire campus to explore?</p>
<p>I’ve actually been to the South before. I’ve been to Tuskeegee, AL when I was like 2 or 3, and during the summer of my freshman year, I took a trip through the Deep South. It was a bus trip that took us from Atlanta, to Montgomery, to Birmingham, and back to Philly. I just didn’t get to talk to many Southerners or explore the culture because we had a tight schedule with little time to explore throughout the whole trip. Anyway, I would go to UGA no matter what, it’s just the thought that I might have trouble adjusting. But I think it can be done</p>
<p>I’m in the same position as you are- a Northerner looking to go to school down South. I actually did a summer program at a Southern school this summer, so I got a nice little preview of what it’s like. The only trouble anyone gave me AT ALL was making fun of my accent. I obviously don’t have a Southern accent, so I stuck out a little, and my city here in the North is known for our funny “accents” and our unique little “language.” Other than that, I didn’t have any trouble at all whatsoever. I think it’s much easier to be from the North and go South because people down there are so much more friendly and hospitable. People up here are really much more rude than you would imagine; I’d never want to live in the South and move North. I love the South, and can’t wait to hopefully get down there to go to college! The culture down there is, in my humble opinion, much more enjoyable, and I’m sure you’ll love it.</p>
<p>You’d be surprised just how cosmopolitan Athens really is… UGA, as the state flagship and a top university in the entire southeastern US, it attracts students from all over the country and elsewhere. Yes, the majority are from the south, but that’s an amazing opportunity for you to experience a new, extremely hospitable culture. Besides the weather is always great here (that’s why people are so friendly) and you will probably not suffer in July when it’s not We have awesome shopping and you will love the new food group; it’s called “fried”… fried okra, fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, and you may start rooting for the Braves AND the Falcons! ;)</p>
<p>I’m pretty convinced that I was just overreacting at first. The South sounds like a great place to relocate to, start over, and create new friendships. The weather is a big plus to me. After going through the blizzards of 2009 and 2010, I would love to be somewhere where I don’t have to switch clothes every season! I’ve always heard that the fried stuff and grits are amazing down there. How far away is Atlanta from Athens? And maybe I’ll end up rooting for the Falcons, but NEVER the Braves! I’m a Phillies phan phor life ;)</p>
We have awesome shopping and you will love the new food group; it’s called “fried”… fried okra, fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, and you may start rooting for the Braves AND the Falcons! ;)</p>