Feature Photo By: Samir Mohamed – Downtown Atlanta is one of Georgia Tech’s many mesmerising views. Downtown Atlanta is only two miles away from the Georgia Tech campus.

Georgia is known for its rich African American culture, captivating music, and Civil Rights history. Whether you’re walking downtown, visiting universities, or exploring the city, within Georgia you experience diversity everywhere. There’s a greater density of African Americans in Georgia than there is in Colorado by far — 10% of Denver’s population consists of African Americans, as opposed to a whopping 60% in Atlanta.

When I visited colleges in Colorado, I saw less than 10 people of color in my day at numerous universities. While in Atlanta, it was impossible for me not to see ten people of color while walking throughout the Georgia State, Morehouse College, Georgia Tech, and Clark Atlanta University. Spending five days in Atlanta may seem like a short amount of time, but for me it truly felt like an eternity.  

1,404 miles from home, it became clear that the environment in Georgia is entirely different. Atlanta’s humid air and vintage architecture were very easy to distinguish. Atlanta is home to statues, memorials, the house belonging to MLK, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), museums, and music such as blues, R&B, hip-hop, and rap. The rich culture that Colorado lacks was very eminent in Atlanta.

Three of the six universities I visited were HBCUs. Knowing that Atlanta is predominantly black, I feel that being around people that look like me will make me feel more at ease; I’d thrive if I were connected with my community on a deep level. Visiting schools in Georgia opened my horizons of where I want to attend college.

I’m very family oriented and my trip gave me a preview of how college life will be miles away from home; though being away from home will be hard and different, the student communities in Atlanta are close, accepting, and genuine. Students connect like family. I was approached by strangers who shook my hand, a multitude of people smiled at me and nodded their heads.

Instant connection with people at schools like Morehouse, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and Clark Atlanta genuinely surprised me. Instant geniality is not what I experienced at Colorado State University nor at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Atlanta already ones-up Colorado in another aspect of consideration when I’m choosing where I want to go to college or live growing up.

Atlanta is home to great music and exceptional artists ranging from Migos, Future, Lil John, T.I., and even Usher. Music nowadays sounds the same: artists’ voices, beats, and vibes resemble one another. Our generation of music has become boring and dull. Worst of all, our nation itself has become more unoriginal each and every day; however, Atlanta provides a sense of diversity that I enjoy.

Atlanta is by far the opposite of dull and boring. It was unforgettable roaming the city and enjoying all the beautiful architecture and history around each and every corner.

Korean-Mexican tacos from Atlanta’s own Blossom Tree Korean Eatery. A quick, delightful, and delicious experience on Peachtree; one of Atlanta’s prominent streets.

Downtown Atlanta is one of Georgia Tech’s many mesmerising views. Downtown Atlanta is only two miles away from the Georgia Tech campus.