It’s been quite the adjustment living in the upscale neighborhood of Lincoln Park. I have traded in the sights of cornfields for skyscrapers and John Deere camo for Hunter boots. I’ve never seen so many Michael Kors handbags until now, nor have I actually met collegiates who casually model. I find myself taken aback by how well traveled my peers are, which makes for great stories to tell and resume boosters.
I realized just how different the north side culture of Chicago is compared to the central Illinois culture I grew up in.
Bright lights and tall buildings come to mind when people think of Illinois, thanks to the beautiful city of Chicago. Yet, the “Land of Lincoln” offers so much more. With lush farmland and inviting rural towns, Illinois basks in its profitable agricultural success.
Having grown up in rural Illinois, I find myself inspired by my ambitious, adventurous city peers. Although I may not have the luxury to casually vacation in Hawaii or study abroad multiple times, I realize my small town roots keeps me humble and curious to all that Chicago (and the rest of the world) has to offer.
Although DePaul students are diverse in all ways possible, we still share commonalities: having to “adult” on a regular basis, succeed in class, and working crappy jobs to pay for our brunch habits and textbooks.Â