Four students reflect on college stereotypes
Erin McGroarty
Issue date: 12/8/05 Section: Focus
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I thought I had prepared myself when I made the trek from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania for school. Muhlenberg is known to be the typical white, northeastern, liberal school. I'd love to say that my experiences here have shown me otherwise, but as most students know, it are true. For me the biggest adjustment has been the change from a midwest society to an east coast society--not the school's stereotypes.
Though it's hard to explain, I try and break it down to the fact that people relate to each other differently in each area--in a sense it's the larger stereotypes of each area. In the Midwest, I am used to being more relaxed and easy-going in all of my activities and interactions with people. Here in the East I've found it can be a bit harder to relax sometimes because of the fast-paced lifestyle which is something that is very different from what I am used too.
Another difference is in how people relate to each other. There is a difference in the friendliness and how it is expressed in the Midwest versus the East coast. Though there is the same openness in both areas, it seems the Midwesterners see personal boundaries and personal space differently than people here in the East Coast. Though I've loved living in both areas, I think I've become a more reserved person because of living out here. As far as my experiences in both places go, both lived up to the ideal.
I think stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason. As much as we would like to deny them, they exist for a reason and we do use them. Though there are many exceptions to the rule (and I have experienced those too), for the most part I would say that Muhlenberg and the East Coast in general have lived up to everything they were stereotypically supposed to be.
Though it's hard to explain, I try and break it down to the fact that people relate to each other differently in each area--in a sense it's the larger stereotypes of each area. In the Midwest, I am used to being more relaxed and easy-going in all of my activities and interactions with people. Here in the East I've found it can be a bit harder to relax sometimes because of the fast-paced lifestyle which is something that is very different from what I am used too.
Another difference is in how people relate to each other. There is a difference in the friendliness and how it is expressed in the Midwest versus the East coast. Though there is the same openness in both areas, it seems the Midwesterners see personal boundaries and personal space differently than people here in the East Coast. Though I've loved living in both areas, I think I've become a more reserved person because of living out here. As far as my experiences in both places go, both lived up to the ideal.
I think stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason. As much as we would like to deny them, they exist for a reason and we do use them. Though there are many exceptions to the rule (and I have experienced those too), for the most part I would say that Muhlenberg and the East Coast in general have lived up to everything they were stereotypically supposed to be.