Most students who have experienced standard English curricula in high schools are familiar with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, in which Minnesotan born Nick Carraway is whirled away into the world of East Egg and West Egg, Long Island, New York. Though Nick originates from a rich family himself, East and West Egg still shock him as the coastal elite he is surrounded by seem to be in a world entirely separate from the one he has known. Nick’s experience, though largely exaggerated in the novel, is reminiscent of many Midwestern and Southern students’ experiences attending prestigious universities on the coasts. The culture of the east coast and the midwest are also vastly different in general, which corresponds to university life as well.
Having grown up in the suburbs of St. Louis and finished high school in a small rural town in Wisconsin, I am well-versed in Midwestern culture. The jump from a rural environment to an extremely urban, expensive city for school was, as one would expect, quite daunting. Nevertheless, I feel that I have adapted well in the last year and a half and have even come to enjoy my time here, rather than just attempting to survive it. If you are wary of the leap from the “flyover states” to the coasts, I have gathered some tips over the last year that will help you sustain the Midwestern values worth keeping, like our humility and kindness, whilst also adapting to the east coast culture.
A realization you will have quickly upon moving to the east is that it may feel like your presence is not always appreciated inside a business, whether that be a restaurant, grocery store, or anything of that sort. At first, this experience is a bit disappointing and can dull your mood, as you are probably used to small talk and smiling faces in most stores at home, never having been exposed to the actual thoughts behind the workers’ faces. In this scenario, the only thing you can do is to not take it personally because it is, in fact, not personal. This can be applied at school, too, as not every experience with every student is going to be pleasant, but in order to not dwell on these experiences, you must understand the seemingly negative interaction is not your fault but just a part of living in a city, where most people have the mindset of “eat or be eaten.”
The east was founded on the importance of education and business as opposed to the midwest’s history of farming to make a living. Therefore, many of the students at schools like Columbia descend from generations of Ivy League graduates and already know how to navigate the academic world. This is intimidating at first, feeling behind your peers, but knowing that just because they have more history and guidance in this exclusive world of academia does not mean you are undeserving of a place in it as well. In fact, the Midwestern work-ethic pays off under these circumstances, so milk that for what it’s worth.
Many high schools on the coasts are significantly more progressive and accepting of perspectives that parts of the midwest still reject, so many students will have already been exposed to politics, theory, philosophy, and activism, all of which are deeply prevalent in university culture. You may feel behind in this sense if you were like me and were not exposed to these kinds of texts earlier on. However, do not feel like you have to read every manifesto and theoretical text to catch up to your peers. It is normal to read these texts in college for the first time and instead of worrying about what your professors or peers will think, listen and learn from them, and always seek help if you need it.
Despite all the obstacles you will inevitably face crossing the regional border, the positives of attending college in a city like New York outweigh any of my aforementioned points that may make you hesitant. The diversity in culture, people, landscape, and lifestyle here will finely complement your upbringing in the midwest. Be willing and accepting of new experiences, but remember your roots and do not be ashamed of your origin; your perspective is valuable here, too.