During an admitted students tour last year, I remember when all the student tour guides introduced themselves. One after another they stepped up, said their name, and what their hometown was—which was 99% Virginia. I turned to my dad and jokingly commented how everyone at UVA must be a Virginian, and little did I know that I was almost right. Two thirds of UVA is made up of Virginia residents and a third come from out of state, although sometimes it feels like that ratio is much more skewed.
While Charlottesville is by no means the actual “South,” it certainly feels that way for a New Jerseyan. For someone who has lived in the same state for my entire life, it was like entering a new world—in a good way. Since middle school, I knew that I would inevitably go to college out of state. My original dream school was University of California-Berkeley, although during the college application process I quickly realized that I had no true intention of going that far. The Virginia area was particularly appealing to me because it was a respectable distance away from home: not too close, but not too far. While I was prepared and excited for a new beginning six-and-a-half hours away, there were definitely aspects that took me by surprise—things that I called “cultural shocks” when I talked to my family back home. Even though that phrase typically refers to when a foreigner comes to the United States and experiences tipping culture and iced coffee for the first time, I use the term to describe the unexpected differences between a Northern state and a (somewhat) Southern state.
With that said, here are several cultural shocks I have experienced as a New Jerseyan at UVA.
Football Games
While not as intense as SEC football, gameday at UVA is a spirited and fun event. Traditionally, UVA students donned suits and dresses with pearls, creating the “guys in ties, girls in pearls” saying. Nowadays, the football stadium today does not look as fancy, mostly due to the influence of former coach Al Groh. UVA Today reported that Groh promoted a more laid-back dress code, aiming to fill the stands with the characteristic sea of orange. Since then, it is much more common to see especially male fans sporting orange t-shirts and UVA merchandise instead of the more formal attire of the past.
At the big Northern colleges near me, the football games have similar festivities with the big tailgates and excited attendees, but the usual gameday clothing looks different. I unexpectedly found myself purchasing my first pair of cowboy boots and browsing SEC gameday outfits for inspiration—a sign we haven’t completely broken with the past. Beyond just the fashion aspect, the UVA spirit manifests itself during the football games through the Cavalier riding around the field on horseback to the iconic singing of the “Good Ol’ Song” with linked arms. The school spirit here is contagious and game days can be counted on to have a good time, whether that be sitting in the student section or sitting on the Hill. Even my father finds himself swept up in the fervent rivalry between UVA and Virginia Tech and enthusiastically roots for the Cavaliers.
Foxfield
Jersey has its own equivalent of Foxfield called the Hunt. Officially, it is the Far Hills Race Meeting, but local residents nicknamed the event “The Hunt” because of its ties to fox hunting and the nearby steeplechases. The Hunt occurs every October and gets as many as 75,000 attendees. Although this is a huge horse race event, it was not commonly attended by those in my or my friends’ hometowns—part of the reason why I was unfamiliar with Foxfield. I had, however, seen some Instagram posts by mutuals who went to the Hunt and knew that the attire there was reminiscent of Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving dinner—think tall boots, corduroy and leather skirts, and plaid print.
While at UVA, I quickly learned that Foxfield was a huge student-attended event. To any others who were originally unaware about Foxfield: it is also a steeplechase and typically everybody goes in late April. Students typically wake up early and pack onto buses to get to Foxfield in groups. Once there, various clubs and organizations set up their own tents or spots to enjoy the event. There are fall races, but the large crowd of UVA students appears in the spring, complete with tailgates and parties galore. It is a notable celebration that many look forward to as the spring semester comes to a close.
Clothing Style
I wore a uniform in high school, so picking out an outfit for class everyday was somewhat of a new concept. Where I live in Jersey does not have much of a specific style, especially in comparison with the distinct New York City fashion. UVA definitely does have a more distinguishable style, particularly at football games and darties, as mentioned previously. At games, girls will wear orange or blue dresses and sets accompanied by cowboy boots and ribbons while guys will typically wear polos and khakis.
Despite UVA’s reputation of being preppy, students dress in whatever style floats their boat. While on weekends or going out people tend to lean towards certain aesthetics, students often sport sweat sets and activewear to class. Personally, I think that I see a clear difference in the style here and I have loved having the opportunity to buy new pieces to match different occasions.
NOVA
What’s your name? What’s your major? Where are you from? These standard introductory questions were asked and answered hundreds of times in the initial weeks here. The “where are you from” question tended to yield the same result: Nova. For any fellow out-of-staters who are unfamiliar with the term, the abbreviation for Northern Virginia is “Nova,” where the majority of UVA students are from (it seems). It became almost a game for me, guessing if people would be from Nova or not when I met them. Even though it seemed as if many students already knew each other in the fall, it was very easy to find common ground. Eventually, I began to learn some of the schools and towns in Nova through my interactions. I even started to see some parallels with Jersey. For example, many students are just a short drive or train ride away from Washington DC, similar to New York City for Northern kids.
Bagels
New Jersey bagels are iconic for a reason—and no, New York does not do it better. This is a hill that almost any Jersey resident would die on, second to the Taylor Ham vs. pork roll debate. A bagel store is jam-packed on weekend mornings, becoming a pillar of community and camaraderie. What makes New Jersey bagels so superior is the water, which interacts well with high-protein dough, creating the perfect baking conditions. This unique water composition produces a fluffy and chewy texture that sets these bagels apart.
With that in mind, Virginia’s approach to bagels is different. Bodo’s Bagels is definitely a fan-favorite on the Corner, and there is good reason to see why. While different, Bodo’s is undoubtedly a cemented part of UVA culture.
Secret Societies
The UVA secret societies are notorious for the mystery and prestige that shrouds them. I had heard of the secret societies before my UVA visit and had taken a look at the Wikipedia page with my friends, but I did not understand what they truly were until I visited. Many UVA buildings display large painted letters, which aren’t acts of vandalism but rather symbols of long-standing secret societies that are intertwined into the university’s signature traditions and identity. While the importance of the secret societies are well-known, the inner workings and details are not.
Amtrak
Admittedly, this one should not be included on this list, but it fits with the article’s purpose. The first time that I went on an Amtrak voyage was because of UVA—for Thanksgiving break. Going to the Charlottesville Amtrak station was a new experience because I had previously associated the Amtrak train with much longer distance trips. Back home, I had only used the NJ Transit for New York City trips and the subway once in the city, so I had never used trains for travelling through multiple states. At UVA, the Amtrak right here in Charlottesville is commonly used for students returning home for breaks, DC trips, or other states.
While the train itself is not the most luxurious way to travel, it is convenient and a place where you can get some work done if needed. The hours spent on the Amtrak can fly by while finishing up assignments or watching a show, making the trip much more bearable. Also, it is not uncommon to see classmates and friends aboard at the same time.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, college is a new experience for every first-year, whether you are out-of-state or not. With so many amazing people from different backgrounds, UVA is a place where everybody can call home and find their people. Although there may be a bit more to get used to for out-of-staters, it is easy to develop a sense of belonging.
On a more serious note, the various traditions offer endless opportunities to engage in the University’s culture. Plus, college is new to every first year, so everybody is going through a period of transition and learning together. As time goes on, the small surprises that once seemed so different start to feel more familiar.
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