Study Overseas

As soon as you step foot into the South, you know it. With a change in dialect, change in temperature, and change in food, there's a unique culture that surrounds the Southern states of America. The region has a reputation for being more laidback and even the people are reported to be friendlier in the South. So without any further ado, read on to discover the many things that only the American South can offer!

What Will I See And How Will Feel?

The landscape of the South changes from place to place. In a span of several hours you could see beaches, mountains, flatlands, marshes and swamps, and tropical forests. Just like there are no limits to the culture, the natural geography is boundary-less. The South is also well-known for its pleasantly warm temperatures, one of the many qualities that draw people to the area.

Who Will I Meet?

The people in the South are some of the friendliest folks you may ever encounter. Always willing to lend a helping hand (or some food!), these people will have your back when you need it most, even if you've never met. Known to talk with a "twang" or a "drawl," most of the people residing in the South will have one of the most recognizable and unforgettable accents you may encounter in the United States. There are actually many variations to the dialect, depending on the specific region, but this may be hard to determine unless you've a keen ear for picking out the differences. When down South, you'll definitely hear phrases such as "y'all" to refer to a group of people (literally a combination of "you all") and "yonder" to specify a specific location in a general direction. Don't worry, you'll definitely catch on fast and start speaking like a true Southerner in no time!

What Will I Eat?

As with any particular location, the food in the South is one of its most defining characteristics. Southerners are famous for their "down home cooking" and "soul food". These meals consist of food that's rumored to "stick to your ribs" and keep you full. Often you'll have fried chicken, corn on the cob, vegetable stew, chicken and dumplings, country fried steak, macaroni and cheese, or mashed potatoes and gravy. A staple food in the South and a specialty of states such as North Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee is barbeque. And you can't forget the sweet tea. This is typically the non-alcoholic drink of choice for most Southerners.

Now, there are certain rules you must keep in mind when eating in the South. Follow them, and you'll be well equipped to eat properly whenever you visit:

1. Food = love. That's right. Southerners love to eat and eating becomes a cornerstone for socialization. Wherever there are people, there's bound to be food.
2. You can fry anything. Don't bash it 'til you've tried it! From candy bars to vegetables to chicken, anything can be deep fried and it tastes darn good. Known as "comfort food," these fried treats are likely to be found at most meals in the South.
3. You don't eat dinner, you eat supper. Don't ask. There's no explanation. It's just a fact of life.

What Will I Hear?

Music says a lot about the culture. When visiting the South, you'll likely hear a variety of music that will make you stand back and listen. Much of the music was created by African Americans, and though the styles can date back as far as the time of slavery, it's still very much a part of the musical scene today. Blues, gospel, soul, and jazz are just a few examples of popular southern music that is recognized the world around. Country, bluegrass, and Appalachian folk music are also genres that are popular and distinctly Southern. Finally, the earliest forms of rock n' roll began in the South, and it has grown into a musical genre that inspires and influences many other styles today. Typically, Southern music uses a lot of stringed instruments-the guitar and the banjo, for instance-and a lot of soulful brass instruments, like the trumpet or the trombone. You'll even hear a lot of man-made instruments that aren't really instruments at all, such as clapping hands and stamping feet. But it's the combination of voices and music that make all the sounds of the South unique and praiseworthy.

Ultimately, no matter where you go, you'll always have a place waiting for you down South, so come and visit, y'all!