State to State Differences

I have been living in Wilmington, North Carolina for about 4 months now, and it is finally starting to feel like home! I have come across several differences moving from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. I have also noticed many differences coming from Ursinus College (a small liberal arts college) to UNCW (a medium sized state school).

Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, NC

1. People really do address you as ma'am!
   
   Some people don't like this, but I will say I LOVE IT! I feel warm & fuzzy & loved when I walk into a store, for example, and someone says "Can I help you ma'am?" It really feels like they care!!
   
   
2. People have different (sometimes low) expectations of food.
   
   I have realized I took advantage of the delicious food at home (probably because of the proximity to a big city). Especially with sushi, I had a very hard time finding good sushi. The places people suggested were mostly awful. I finally found a place called Tamashii (http://www.sushiandspoons.com/), ironically the sushi chef is from the Philadelphia area. It was worth the search, and it quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite restaurants. There is good food here in Wilmington, it just has been a little more difficult than expected to weed through the bad to find the good.
3. Oooh the weather!
   
   Today, I thought it was a bit chilly out, but then I saw the facebook statuses of friends back home proclaiming that it was snowing!! So I stopped my complaining.
   A few weeks ago I went to the beach - YES - in November! 70 degrees in November is GREAT.
   
   
   
   
4. Back to 1992.At my internship in Bolivia, NC, I had to make phone calls to conduct a survey. I discovered that rural areas of NC do not require an area code. I was astonished to learn this and felt like I was back in the dark ages again.
   
   
5. Wilmywood.
   
   Surprisingly, Wilmington is the third most frequented location for filming. Unfortunately, I have not seen any celebrities yet, but I keep hearing about them!!!
6. The Down South.Yes, people have accents here, and there is more country music. I like country music now and I like the accents people have. It is strange to hear people on the radio with heavy accents (does not happen back home) - but it makes it more interesting and helps me experience a different culture here.
   
   
   

Ursinus College to University of Wilmington, North Carolina

1. So many bikes!
   
   The campus here is a lot bigger than Ursinus (e.g. over .5 square miles), so it takes longer to get from building to building. Often, just going next door (Psychology Building to McNeill Hall).
2. Graduate student expectations.
   
   It feels like us graduate students are more like colleagues with professors. I do not feel quite at the same level, but I am now a lot more comfortable with professors than I was as an undergraduate. I feel more respected by the professors and like I am working with them rather than under them.
3. I have a car!
   
   At Ursinus, I did not have a car and walked to class every day. Now, I live in an apartment with my lovely boyfriend and beautiful kitty, Lilly. I was ten minutes late to class today due to traffic, no parking, and leaving 5 minutes later than usual (Lilly was being very friendly this morning). It's still a bit weird driving to class, and another contributing factor that makes me feel more like an employee than a student.
   
   
   
4. Professors are awesome everywhere.
   
   Doesn't matter if you're going to a state school or liberal arts college - professors are just as spunky, friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic here compared to Ursinus. I love it here just about as much as I loved Ursinus and the professors make the experience even better. It's an honor and a privilege to be taught by these knowledgeable and enthusiastic people.
   
   
   
   
   That's it for now :)