Getting Students to Give a Darn
Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, when I lived there I didn't think it was anything that special. It is known for being the second cloudiest city in the nation (#1 being Seattle), and it's nicknamed the "Furniture City" known for it's production of furniture. WOO HOO. It was and will always be where my home roots are but I never felt any special bond with the city while living there. It wasn't until I moved away that I truly appreciated my home town for what it was. After living in Nashville for almost three years now, I now understand what it means to have a sense of pride and value from where I come from. Moving form the North to the South is a bit of a cultural shift. There are elements that are similar, but I have learned to appreciate the differences. What helped me learn this was removing myself from the familiar and stepping into a place and culture a bit unfamiliar. Leaving my comfort zone helped me gain a whole new understanding. How can we ge