Moving to California was a life changing experience. I still remember the late nights of packing, days of stress, and the chance that I might regret this decision. I love the sun, the sea, and the sand but I am a southern girl through and through. My name is Kayla Stern and I am a 16 year old who has a passion for travel, fashion, and family. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I like my tea sweet, saying y’all, and engaging in small talk conversations with random people at the grocery store. Moving to Santa Barbara was something I have always wanted to do, but I never realized how much it would impact my life. What I have realized over the past year is the staying somewhere for a month as opposed to living somewhere is very different. I love the fact that I spend more time outside because of the gorgeous weather as well as having the beach at my feet and I live a healthier lifestyle but I miss my southern people, the big malls, and the privacy of a big city. By moving to this whole new environment, I have learned a lot of valuable lessons about staying true to yourself and the importance of boldly embracing where you’re from because this is something that will stay with you forever and it is a key part of who you are. I am a southern girl and no matter where you spot me on the map, I will always be a southern girl. From living in California though, I often get the question… what’s it like living in the south? For the most part I have come across people who believe that the southern culture is kind of ridiculous. Sweet tea. Lots of churches and crazy religious attitudes.  Every corner having woman in spring, floral-print dresses with too much makeup telling you, “Bless your heart.” But these beliefs are just misconceptions. There is rich history and a hard work ethic. There is humility, faith, and a strong loyalty to family and town as well as an appreciation for what we have and where we come from. The weather is hot but thankfully there is plenty of sweat tea to keep you cool! Faith and culture play an important role because people show freely their faith in God and offer prayers to strangers they may encounter which is something I personally haven’t seen anywhere else. Being someone who has indeed questioned their faith, I admire that Christianity is neither forced nor apologized for there. Lastly, there is no place in the world that can relate to the Southern Hospitality demonstrated here. If you live in the South, you will hear your fair share of “sirs” and “ma’ams,” and a culture where civility and chivalry aren’t extinct. The South may not be for everyone, but I can definitely see myself moving back there very soon and raising my kids there.