Place and identity defines our
personality and helps us determine our interests. Whether we like
the places we are or not, they influence us in determining our
actions. I grew up in a part of Columbus just north of campus called
Clintonville. During elementary school, I moved to a suburb of
Columbus, called Worthington. My Dad had a job that required him to
travel quite a bit around central Ohio, and I would often go with him
on his jobs, so I got to see much of Ohio. I have lived all my life
in central Ohio, as well as the suburbs, so I have formed a strong
identity with central Ohio, specifically the suburbs. However, I
never have really identified the suburbs as a very exciting or fun
place to live. As a result, I think that I have formed an identity
with traveling to new and different places. I always enjoy the chance
to go and see different parts of the country and talk to different
people. However I have never really had the chance to travel outside
the US, because most of the traveling I do I end up paying for
myself. So, I often go on small camping trips, which I have come to
greatly identify with as well.
When I moved onto OSU campus I found
that I rather formed a stronger identity here, as I got to meet
people from all across the nation and world. So, I suppose I am in an
interesting position when it comes to place and identity, as I feel
like I desire to travel and live in new places and form new
identities, because I perhaps don't have the best identity with the
place I grew up.
I really like that even though you couldn't always travel far from home, you made the most of the places you were able to go. I definitely agree with you that being at OSU allows you to meet people from all over the place. I hope that over the next years you get opportunities to expand your travels like you've always wanted.
ReplyDeleteI agree that OSU is a great place to truly discover who you are. There are just so many different experiences and opportunities here that are hard to find anywhere else. OSU may never be home for some people, but it is a great place to grow.
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