<p>Has anyone has any experience with northerners at UGA?
I love the school, but I'm from New York, but easily adapt.
How would I fair as far as socially fitting in?</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>They won't understand a word you're saying until you slowly change your'e speech pattern and adapt. And you'll love the southern accent. Enjoy. It could be worst. You could be from New York City and the timeline would be about 12 months vs. a couple. </p>
<p>Southerners are a heck of a lot more hospitable, polite, and helpful then those of us from above the Mason Dixon line. Respect their culture, enjoy SEC football and know who Hershel Walker is. </p>
<p>It will be more enjoyable than if you went to SUNY at Buffalo or NYU.</p>
<p>Speaking as a Massachusetts resident who has lived in the South for some time, it's not that much more hospitable or polite- you get the finger on I-90 or I-85; you get jerks everywhere. </p>
<p>If you enjoy a rural area and a college town, then definitely go for UGA. After visiting campus a number of times, I have to admit short of Stanford, they have one of the most beautiful campuses I've seen. But UGA also has the stigma of being a party school, something the school itself tries avoid to no avail. </p>
<p>You'll probably fit in since you definitely won't be the only out-of-stater and it's Georgia, not Azerbaijan. Yes, they speak English (or some form of it ;) ) "Dawgs" are very helpful, kind, and generally courteous, though from my experience many students just take UGA as a continuation of High School. There'll be niches before you even get there. </p>
<p>But remember: YOU make or break your social life. I'm sure you're a cool guy, you'll find friends and have a nice time.</p>
<p>PS, Buffalo was a pretty nice town when I visited...Niagara Falls was awesome!</p>
<p>Haha I'm a girl.</p>
<p>And I mean guy in the very...feminine way?</p>
<p>My faux pas, sorry!</p>
<p>You have to understand that UGA has a lot of students from North Fulton/East Cobb/Metro Atlanta. While some of these kids are southerners, for most, its hardly noticeable - many are northern transplants(in fact my tour guide at honors day moved to North Fulton from New York). The only thing that may be lacking are the spoiled "daddy's girl" types that go to prestigious private schools or people with exaggerated northeastern accents. Both of which, I think people could live without.</p>
<p>EC, *****es :-P. Actually, I live near Marietta Square near the freeway, where it's hella crowded.</p>
<p>MVL,
First you should learn how to spell Herschel. Secondly, you are very right. If he is attending UGA, that is the one name he should know.</p>
<p>UGA and its football... sigh.</p>
<p>I'm currently an undergraduate at NYU, and I'm planning on going to UGA next year to continue with graduate school. I'm very familiar with the university, with Athens, and with the scene there. My dad's side of the family all come from that area. So, I've spent a lot of time there.</p>
<p>I have to tell you that there is a completely different mindset. I would have to agree with the person who has said that Georgians/Southerners seem much, much, much more polite and hospitable than people (completely generally speaking, of course) up here. I grew up in New Jersey, and after spending a lot of time in Athens over the last several years, I feel like I couldn't possibly prefer the super-aggressive, harsh, ultra-competitive pressure that seems to be so prevalent up here. I've noticed that New Yorkers are often apt to have a very snide view of Southerners, viewing them as provincial, or un-intellectual, or inferior. I think that these stereotypes only betray these people as being elitist (and, again, I'm speaking in totally general terms). As for myself, professors have raised their eyebrows at me when hearing that I wish to go down South rather than going to one of the tony schools around here that people consider "better". However, at this point, I just feel like I care more about being happy and being in a pleasant environment than being immersed in the in-your-face corporate culture.</p>
<p>Just my thoughts.</p>
<p>Daniel J, you sound just like me. I'm sick of stuck up kids, and typical "northerners." Ugh. People from the South rock.</p>
<p>I'm just hoping that I would fit in and not be that northern girl. </p>
<p>Any other thoughts?</p>
<p>Well in terms of the competitive nature of the students; it is not really emphasized at UGA. The southern culture is not as appealing as it may seem. Ive lived down here the majority of my life. I kind of adapt no matter where I am and I think you will be able to as well.</p>
<p>If you want excellent academic competitiveness, a chance to grow up, and really work for your grades in the South, do the smart thing and enroll at Georgia Tech. If you want the cliche "college experience", then UGA is probably right for you. The words on my UGA acceptance packet pretty much surmise what UGA is: 'This is what you expect college to be'. </p>
<p>If you're sick of stuck up kids, then you're probably not going to enjoy UGA as much as you may think. The school is 80% white and most of those people are from affluent metro Atlanta area. Southern culture is probably extrememly glorified- trust me, when you deal with a southern accent for years upon years, you long for a good old Boston accent- one that's actually understandable. Now, I'm probably the most biased SOB here (I glorify the North the way you do the South, but that's because I miss my Massachusetts days), but don't expect too much.</p>
<p>And seriously....people who go to college just for the stinkin' FOOTBALL team...groan.</p>
<p>Ga Tech is a great engineering school. But if you want a broad-based liberal arts education, UGA is the way to go. There's a lot more to UGA than football. Just compare UGA's course catalogue to GA Techs.</p>
<p>Yes, you'll hear Southern accents at UGA, but you'll here alot of others too. (Just like GA Tech. ) </p>
<p>Seems like your not really that into diversity Nov221963, since you long for your hometown accent so much.</p>
<p>Yea, at this point, I've got to confess- I'm gonna be an engineer, and I've liked Tech since I was 7 or 8. I'd be pretty stupid if I went to UGA and pinned up my Yellow Jacket pendant. I'm sure that's grounds for execution or something ;)</p>
<p>I'm an ethnic minority myself, so I could create some of that diverse learning environment myself. I'm all for diversity, but I dislike diversity for diversity's sake. I miss a Boston accent, but that doesn't mean I would be perturbed if I had to listen to Californian accents or Pacific Northwestern accents all day. I've never liked hearing a Southern drawl; it has nothing to do with appreciation or disapproval of diversity. I've also never really liked SUVs, the Republican Party, or KFC's. It's just a personal preference.</p>
<p>^^ KFC?! We hate it, too! Chik-fil-A is Georgia's chicken joint (much tastier, and much healthier).</p>
<p>And, why does everyone think of ATL and GA as this slow, relaxed place like you would see on the "Ya Ya Sisterhood"? Have you SEEN the F-ing traffic coming in and out of that city?! The number or corporations? The immense high-density sprawl? And, competition? We're pretty much free-market, lassaiz-faire capitalists. We know competition.</p>
<p>And, accents? Not lately. Like, I live in Cobb (which is about 2 hrs from UGA). I know 3 people with Southern accents; the others with accents are from Mexico, South America, Asia, the Mid-East, and California. Also, our house is one of the few that still has a yard (no more land in the county=town homes and single-family housing being built 4-8 to an acre). So, it's not really slow-paced and country like everyone says... pretty urbane actually.</p>
<p>Well it all depends on what part of Atlanta you live in. Athens is still really southern, as well as most of the south and east side of Atlanta. However, Cobb and Fulton are practically northern areas placed in the south. Its hard to judge from this bubble that I live in. However, I used to debate around the state and ive been to camps that included kids from all over the state and I can say that if you run into some of those kids at Athens and you are from New York, it will definitely be different. </p>
<p>But, if you run into a kid from Alpharetta, the difference will not be drastic.</p>
<p>I agree with the previous poster that said idealizing the south is not the way to go. Once you live in an area for a long time, you can grow to hate it. Just beware of the changes that lie ahead. </p>
<p>On another note, if you are a male. The girls at UGA are outstanding. Take advantage of the female/male ratio and you will have a good time at UGA.</p>
<p>I love it, but I hate it Ryan! This God damn traffic is killing me! Did you hear they want to expand 75 north from 285 to Cherokee from 16 to a whopping 20-24 lanes?!?! It's sickening...</p>
<p>Yeah I heard that, just what we need - more concrete instead of a public transit system that makes sense. </p>
<p>BTW, if you move down here everyone drives. I prefer the New York way.</p>
<p>Atlanta is a fast paced city with lots to offer and do. Georgia? Go down to Waycross or Milledgeville, and you'll play Solitaire until you die. Granted, that's true with any state. Boston may be interesting, but I don't think the suburbs are particularly fun. NYC is cool, but few people vacation in Albany.</p>
<p>Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton, Dekalb, maybe even Clayton Counties don't really have a Southern accent. But rural places like Athens, Dahlonega, etc do have pretty strong accents. I believe the AJC called Atlanta a spot of Yankeeland after all the Northerners flocked down here. It's different from the rest of Georgia both educationally and culturally. </p>
<p>For a New Yorker, I'd suppose moving to Athens would be a pretty big shift. Put up the snow shovel, buy more shorts, and knock yourself out! I'm sure if you're really interested in attending UGA, you will adapt or find friends in your situation. I don't see how you can put 1000 kids in a town and not expect someone to be compatible.</p>
<p>Best of Luck!</p>