Cultural Adjustment

revbon50 · 10-07-2009, 10:01 PM

My Son is very interested in Davidson. It seems like such a wonderful school in so many important ways. We are from New England and people have cautioned me that many kids from up north face a challenging cultural adjustment when attending school in the south. Has anyone had this experience or can anyone speak to this issue ?(if it is even is one) Thanks so much!

TheGrabler · 10-07-2009, 10:50 PM

The adjustment hasn't been too hard for me. When you're talking about relatively high profile schools in the south (though Davidson's name recognition isn't great), you'll find that there will be a great deal of geographic diversity. The Dukes, Davidsons, Vandys, Emorys, etc., though "southern," don't necessarily feel overwhelmingly different from any school in the north. There will certainly be differences, and there will be a lot more southeastern kids than at an Amherst or Williams, but it there will be a lot of kids from where you're from. Also, the southern aspects about this school (the warmth/hospitality, good food, laundry service, good sports) make it the place it is and make the quality of life incredible.

revbon50 · 10-08-2009, 06:40 AM

Thank you for your insights. It sounds lovely. Wish I could attend!

Faline2 · 10-08-2009, 10:49 AM

Our tour guides at Davidson were a young man from California who mentioned he and his family were not religious at all (a parent asked about religiosity on campus) and he has no religious affiliation, and a tour guide from the suburbs of NYC in CT who was Catholic who happily attended services nearby. My son's host was from the West Coast. This is a non problem at Davidson although some of the culture of the Southern Presbyterian traditions is present in alum and in a sort of sense that many students are interested in professions with service aspects and components. Davidson students to me seemed to be likely to be athletic and idealistic and mannerly, qualities that kids bring from all sorts of corners of the USA to Davidson. You certainly will experience Carolina culture living in Davidson, NC so visiting is the key to fit decisions. Access to intimate relationships with faculty may be the standout thing that Davidson offers...just my observations from our serious look there and from knowing many alum who are among the strongest adults I know. I am sure this is a similar experience in general to quality of life at peer LACs.

xcfan · 10-08-2009, 06:46 PM

Thanks for the posts, which provide helpful perspectives. Can anyone speak to the athletic culture? How separate are the varsity athletes and the rest of the student body? At many schools, the culture seems to separate the large team sports (eg football) from the other sports that seem to integrate better with the rest of the student body. Do most Davidson athletes identify and spend their time primarily with their team mates?

Raceme117 · 10-08-2009, 07:39 PM

Hmm. Glad you brought this up, its a conservation that was just had in one of my courses. I would say that in general, yes, athletes tend to hang out with their teammates more than other students. However, this should be expected. It's the group of people who they spend a ton of their time with and often in situations where you cannot help but get to know one another. BUT, and it is capitalized for a reason, it should definitely be said that the athletes at Davidson do hang out with, and often, with just us 'normal' students. And they have no problem with it. Besides playing a Division I sport, they do everything the rest of the college does. It's something that may seem far-fetched or unrealistic, but as soon as you step on campus you realize that the athletes are integrated into to campus as well as everybody else. They filled out the same application we did, they take the same tests we do, they live with us, and eat with us. And athletes mention all the time that coaches are always stressing the importance of grades first. Not just because its what a coach should say, but its what they actually believe. They wouldn't be working at Davidson if it weren't the case.
So if you are an athlete (I'm guessing you are) Davidson is definitely not a place where athletes are secluded from the rest of campus.

rom828 · 10-08-2009, 08:18 PM

I am giggling at the OPs question only because we live near Davidson and our S is considering Davidson and schools in New England. I have the same question about him adjusting the culture in the North! I can assure you that the areas surrounded by Davidson are a mix of people from all over the country...especially the North. The banks and business community have attracted many families to this area. If there are any specific stereotypes you'd like me to address I'd be happy to.

TheGrabler · 10-08-2009, 09:30 PM

Another thing it that athletes don't get put in rooms with people on their team freshman year. Obviously, they can choose to live together as upperclassmen, but the football kids still room with us non-athletes. It's nice, some of my best friends on my hall are football players

revbon50 · 10-08-2009, 10:53 PM

That is such a good point about students from the South having the same kind of questions about adjusting to the North! I grew up in NJ and have lived in New England since 1980. From what I hear, the south has a reputation of being more laid back and friendly. I would think that the weather would be an adjustment for someone used to living where it is warm most of the year(one reason my son wants to head to warmer parts)As everyone has pointed out, though, the top schools really attract a variety of students from all over the country. Thank you so much to everyone who commented on my post.

Faline2 · 10-09-2009, 09:20 AM

My son who looked at Davidson is not very interested/charged up re team sports events..he is a runner. So from the perspective of someone who was not seeking a big sports scene as a top quality in a school (his bro only applied to schools with big sports scenes as part of the mix)...I will say this: Davidson has more school spirit than most LACs of its size. It is not a college where sports are third rate. Non Varsity athletes tend to get outdoors and stay fit, and to root for their classmates. Life is so very intimate that you can't help but root for Davidson sports. Davidsonians often compete in leagues where they are the smallest college so kids at Davidson can hang tough. Classrooms at Davidson are intense, and academics still come first. Large numbers of Davidsonians leave the hamlet of Davidson, NC to go abroad. Teachers back their students even way past graduation when they are ready for grad school applications.
Obviously, we have a lot of respect for Davidson and again, their graduates tend to be just quite outstanding people in my experience.

Old78 · 10-09-2009, 11:23 AM

It has been a long time since I was there, but I dragged my kid through for a visit recently, and I keep up. I don't think the regional differences will matter at all. If your whole family moved South, you might experience some changes, but a college campus is a pretty insular environment. That's not to say that that a New England LAC wouldn't have a different culture, of course it would in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, but I don't think your child would find the differences abrasive.

xcfan · 10-10-2009, 01:35 PM

Thanks for the comments. My son is the athlete -- a pretty serious distance runner. He started his college search focused on only Div III schools, because he thinks academics should come first. But then he discovered Davidson as a rare Div I school with a Div III philosophy. He really enjoyed meeting with Coach Andrew, and now Davidson is one of his top choices. Glad to get confirmation on what he sensed about the athletic culture during his visit.