Like clockwork, I again find myself packing everything I own and saying goodbye to the community I was briefly a part of for often only 24 months. While relocating should be easy for a military child who has moved every two or three years of their life, there are still struggles when being thrown from one environment to another. However, this school transfer is a little different, as it should be my last.
I have spent the last three years in Hawaii, a place with deep cultural traditions and some of the best views on this planet. The community’s connection to the ʻāina (land) is unmatched and cultivates a sense of aloha (love and compassion) everywhere you go. I have never met a more united and compassionate group of people than the Hawaiians, something I will certainly search for here.
Although the island is an environmental utopia with many positives, one thing I do not miss is the higher cost of imported goods. Everything on the island seems to be three times more expensive than mainland goods, as Hawaii is not self-sufficient. It is why many locals and natives are “priced out of paradise” and forced to relocate to the mainland. As of March 2024, St. Louis was in the top 19% of the most expensive cities in the world, while Honolulu is in the top 2%. One practical difference I’ve found that makes me the happiest is the increased size of parking spaces: bigger is better! Parking on the island is always a struggle as the spaces are too tiny to accommodate a typical American vehicle.
When my family and I first landed at the St. Louis airport, the first culture shock was the excessive number of cowboy hats in the crowds. I imagine cowboy hats are an inconvenient accessory at an airport. I went from bikinis and slippahs to cowboy hats and jeans. This corresponds with the extreme weather changes I now face. In Hawaii, the weather stays at a constant 70-80 degrees. Now, I am in search of cold weather gear and am adjusting to the extreme heat.
I will miss being able to jump into the ocean, which was a five-minute walk from my house and snorkeling among sea life. In an area that experiences all four seasons, I search for new recreational activities in the city. Currently at the top of my bucket list is the butterfly garden, the art museum, and the aquarium.
Starting this past week at UMSL has helped me acclimate to a new environment as I learn about the city. I look forward to finding my place within UMSL and here at the newspaper. I want to have a positive impact on the university and the surrounding community. With every fresh start I face, there is always the initial fear of being an outsider and not knowing anyone. However, I have found the community on campus to be welcoming, and everyone seems to be willing to work together. Classes are not painful as the teachers here are engaged just as much as the students are. As a transfer student from the University of Hawaiʻi something I appreciate is that the environment on campus is not overstimulating or stressful and provides a serene atmosphere. There is also a strong sense of community here due to the significant amount of student activities to participate in and campus jobs/internships. Everywhere I go there is an opportunity for community engagement. These factors make the next two years not look so bad. So here I am in the Midwest! I look forward to becoming a part of the Lou and spreading the aloha.
