Being a Rhode Islander at Brown
Going to college where you grew up is an interesting experience, like a purgatory of sorts. I truly never thought I would stay in Rhode Island after high school, but Brown ended up being the best choice for me, so here I am going on 20 years of residency. One of the main things I was worried about was going to school across the street from the place I went for elementary, middle, and high school. I pictured myself getting mistaken for a high school freshman rather than the college first-year that I really was. What ended up actually happening most times that I passed my high school is that I would awkwardly see a past teacher, classmate, or classmate’s sibling and have to explain to them what I’m still doing around here, responding to the “shouldn’t you be at college” question with, “I am!” After completing my first year at Brown, I am delighted to report that it has been a VERY different experience from high school, and it truly does feel like I’m in a new city. I never would have thought that I’d get lost as much as I have.
I’m also weirdly possessive of Rhode Island, as it has always been a ~quirky~ trait of mine that I live in such a small and obscure state. Coming to Brown where we all live in Rhode Island has forced me to get over my Rhode Island-superiority complex, as I don’t own the Starbucks on Thayer St. despite what my bank account history says. As part of my journey to get over wanting to keep my favorite spots and secrets of Rhode Island to myself, I’ve doled out my fair share of restaurant, beach, bike path, and activity recommendations. Without fail, every time I introduce myself as being from Rhode Island, someone asks me for a recommendation for cool places to visit. Sure, here’s the name of a beach you probably won’t ever go to! Here’s a restaurant that I’ve been to once like 10 years ago and don’t remember how the food is, but I know it’s popular and close to campus! At this point, I have run out of places to recommend and just say the same two restaurants every time (Tallulah’s and Dolores).
All in all, being a Rhode Islander at Brown has been a huge benefit for me. Getting to drink coffee milk every day, getting to introduce my friends to coffee milk, and having access to coffee milk at supermarkets has made it all worth it. I’m even proud to say that I am growing out of my Rhode Islander-superiority complex, at least for the time being. As soon as I graduate and (hopefully) move away, no longer being surrounded by Rhode Island residents, I’m sure my “I’m a quirky Rhode Islander” trait will come right back. Regardless of how many times I have to explain what a “bubbler” is, or why I’m on a first name basis with Nibbles Woodaway, getting to share the beautiful state of Rhode Island with my peers gives me great pride. Just don’t ask me how to use the RIPTA, who the mayor is, or what street something is on, because I don’t know.
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