50 States for 50 Students: Georgia

What is your name? 

Paulina Bilotti. 

Which state are you from? 

Georgia. 

Have you lived there your whole life? 

Yes. 

Describe your state in three words. 

Hospitable, humid, and busy. 

Are you proud of being from your home state? Why or why not? 

Honestly, I wasn’t proud of Georgia until I came to Colorado. Because no one else is from Georgia at CCU, I have grown more proud of it. I love the South. I love the people and how hospitable they are. I’ve grown to appreciate the warmth of the people in the South since coming to a place where people are colder.  

How did growing up in your state affect your childhood? 

Manners are forced into us. You have to say ‘yes ma’am’ ‘no ma’am’ ‘ thank you’. If not, you’re gonna get backhanded. We’re also taught to respect authority and how to talk to adults. I only call adults by their last name, so I’m always shocked when students call professors by their first name at CCU.  

Windows down, music blaring. 

What kind of local traditions did your town have? 

I live in the city, so no small town traditions. There’s a pumpkin patch we go to every fall. Our neighborhood has welcoming parties for people. But my town doesn’t do too much because I live in the inner city. 

What was the culture like in your home state or town? 

It’s a very southern culture. Where I lived in inner city Atlanta, you don’t go downtown because it can be very sketchy. I grew up watching my back. Because Atlanta is pretty tough, women don’t go anywhere alone. But Georgia’s countryside is very family oriented. Everyone is hard working and hospitable.  

What kind of relationship did you have with your neighbors? 

Our neighborhood threw welcoming parties for everyone who moved in. Neighbors were always borrowing eggs from each other and helping each other out.   

What was your favorite thing to do in your home state or town? 

I love going on drives with people. Windows down, music blaring. Because it’s so warm, we could have picnics up at sightseeing places. I love doing lots of outdoor activities like camping in the countryside. 

Are there any foods that your state is famous for? 

Georgia is famous for peaches, but there aren’t actually very many peaches. I think we’re also famous for fried chicken.  

Is there any slang from your home state that you use frequently? 

Y’all. I use it all the time. 

Do you have any local celebrities? 

Lecrae is my neighbor.  

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of your home state? 

My favorite part of Georgia is the people and their hospitality. My least favorite part is also the people. I hate how much crime there is and how it doesn’t feel safe to be in Atlanta.  

I grew up watching my back. 

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of Colorado? 

My favorite part of Colorado is how open it is. In Georgia there are so many trees, but I love how open the scenery is here. There’s also so much to do. It seems like there’s a coffee shop on every corner. My least favorite part of Colorado is how cold the people are. I had a really hard time with the bluntness. But I’ve learned to appreciate how you always know where people stand because of how straightforward they are.  

What drew you to CCU / Colorado? 

The Lord drew me here. But more specifically, the missions program at CCU. 

How has living in Colorado changed your lifestyle? 

Living in Colorado has made me want to be more active. I want to go do more things. That’s been so fun. I’ve also learned how to be more direct in my communication, which has helped me love people better.  

If someone were to visit your home state, what would you recommend they do? 

I would take them downtown to go to the World of Coke and the aquarium. Or I would tell them to go south to a market or peach stand and get out in the country.  

Y’all. 

After graduation, do you plan on staying in Colorado, returning to your home state, or going somewhere else? 

I don’t know. I will hopefully go overseas, but if not, I would like to stay in Colorado.  

What are the most common stereotypes about your state and are they true? 

I would say most of them aren’t true. A lot of the stereotypes are that the South has lots of fields. People will show me pictures of a farmer with wheat in his mouth. They think the whole South is hillbilly country. But that’s not true of where I live.  

What is the most common reaction you get when you tell people where you’re from? 

They’ll say, “Oh the South! Georgia – really?” And that’s about it.  

What is something surprising about your state that most people don’t know? 

That Florida grows more peaches than Georgia.