By Khaelle Harris

When picking a college, all I thought about was being as far from home as possible. I applied to UCLA, the University of Colorado and even Tompkins Cortland Community College. I just wanted to escape New York City. 

Ultimately, SUNY Plattsburgh offered me the best scholarship. Fast-forward to move-in day, and I was feeling good about the decision. Then the culture shock set in. 

1. Delis

After my first few weeks here, I began to miss life in the city, where there are innumerable delis. One is always downstairs, around the corner, or a few blocks away. But in Plattsburgh, there is a grand total of one deli within walking distance of the college: Zuke’s Corner Store. I didn’t even know it existed until I started working on this story. 

2. Transport

In the city, a car is not needed; public transportation goes pretty much anywhere you’d want to go. Not here. The college provides shuttle service to a few locations around the town, but otherwise you’d better have a thick pair of walking soles. Pro tip: If you go to college upstate, make sure you have a driver’s license and a car — or at least have a friend that does. 

3. It’s still winter in April 

Don’t get me started on North Country weather. It’s more like North Pole weather. People warned me, but I had no idea it was going to be this bad. I get that winter is supposed to be cold, but spring, too? Come on — snow in April? No. I’m watching Instagram stories from my friends back in the city, and they’re outside in shorts, jackets, and t-shirts. Meanwhile, I’m in Plattsburgh wearing a heavy winter coat in April. This is my reality now.

4. Lots of apple fields, no Apple Store

If your phone breaks when you’re in the city, all it takes is a subway or bus ride to get it fixed. But that isn’t the case in Plattsburgh, is it? There’s no Apple Store. The nearest one is actually in a different country: Canada. And there’s no A train to Montreal. Nor is there a quick way to Albany, home of the second-closest Apple Store, 160 miles away. What was once a half-hour bus or subway ride is now a half-day trip for me.  

5. Ghost town 

Imagine coming from a place where it’s always loud, bright, and filled with people. By contrast, Plattsburgh would feel like a ghost town. No lights. Empty streets. Silence. And when you do see people, it’s not necessarily a good thing. The first month of the semester, I went downtown with a few friends, and we were followed by three hooded men for about 10 minutes as we walked (increasingly quickly) back to the dorms. I called campus police for a ride home — there was no traffic, so they arrived fast, at least.  

Every time I travel the seven hours back home by Greyhound, I’m reminded that Plattsburgh is a different world from New York City. I’m not just adjusting to college. I’m learning how to live in a different environment and culture, which alone should count as a four-credit course. I’m in Plattsburgh 101.