Why Ohio? - Part One: Before

“Why Ohio?” - This is probably my most heard question, asked by Swiss as well as by Americans, from when I first stated that I will attend Kent State University in Kent, Ohio for my 2015 Fall semester abroad up until today.

Most Swiss had never heard of Ohio before and/or had no idea where in the United States it was located. When they heard “Ohio”, there was no image appearing in their minds like it would when they hear the names of places like New York, Florida, Miami, California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and maybe Washington (the D.C. one, not the state).

And there I was, telling them I was going to spend my 2015 Fall semester in the United States and answered with “Ohio” when they asked where.

“Why Ohio?” (...and not somewhere cool [where most Swiss go on vacation])

...there certainly is a grain of truth ;)

Most Americans - non-Ohioans, that is - imagine Ohio as pretty much empty.

Flat. Not much happening there. No one wants to go to Ohio.

They are not so wrong about all of the above. Yet, from what I have seen on my short visit to Northeast Ohio in 2014, it does have pretty spots: lots of farmland (I consider that pretty), lakes, woods, hills. Yes, hills. A northern Midwestern state, as beautiful as it could get.

Still, Americans were quite confused why someone would deliberately go to Ohio.

“Why Ohio?” (there is nothing there…[or is there?])

Before I actually spent half a year there, my explanation usually went as follows:

1. Kent State University has a special arrangement with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and KSU’s Translation program has a good reputation. 
I never actually found out what that “special arrangement” was, but oh well. It was worth the money anyway. And the program really is good.

2. I really liked the Midwest and its rural areas when I was traveling there in summer 2014. And I really loved Michigan.

Alright, the last part is not taken well at all when talking to an Ohioan. Even if they’re not into sports, the despise of Michigan seems to run in their blood. And vice versa.

3. There will probably be no Swiss there.

Let’s be honest, you really don’t want to hang out with people of your own nationality/continent when abroad. At least not when you’re only there for a semester and want to get the “American” experience, not the “Swiss abroad” experience.

Despite all the confusion among both my Swiss and American friends, I was very looking forward to spending half a year in Ohio.

My reasons and explanations definitely have changed a little by now, I will list them in my next post, Why Ohio? - Part Two: Now [coming soon].

Thank you for reading, stay tuned.

PS: You can now follow me on Facebook and Instagram, if you’d like!