Editor’s note: This article was submitted for publication Fall 2018. This is a late upload.
By: Marquell Ruiz
The world is a big place filled with different types of environments and people. There are urban areas and rural areas that are as different as night and day. Every town, city, and neighborhood is different in its own way, but the transition from big city living to small town living, or small town living to big city living, can be a total culture shock for a person.
In the small town of Portales, New Mexico, there are many people from all over the world that live here. Eastern New Mexico University is a major reason why so many people from all places move to Portales. Due to all the sports programs, and different areas of studies offered at Eastern, a diverse population of people from all over the place end up in Portales.
Every place is different, but to some different is adjustable. Living in Portales compared to living in the city or island can take some time to get used to, but people manage.
“There is certainly no kind of ocean or green around here,” said Koki Al Fuimaono, a Portales local who is currently stationed in Clovis as a U.S. Air Force officer. He commented that “although Portales was different than my home, I was surrounded by good people, which made me feel right at home.”
Fuimaono is originally from the island of Samoa. He moved to Portales after being stationed at Canon Air Force base. Fuimaono shared that some of the biggest differences within Portales and his home are that “there are more fast food places here (Portales), than back on the Island” and that “the people that are locals are completely different” than what he had seen growing up. Despite all the differences faced, Fuimaono has adjusted to living in Portales comfortably.
Clarence Cowart, a senior at Eastern from Miami, Florida, stated that “football was the only reason I attended Eastern,” and that he doubts he would have ever attended Eastern if he took a school visit. This can be harsh feedback, but can be completely empathized; Miami and Portales are completely different in every way. Despite Cowart’s response, he expressed that he appreciated how peaceful, and easy to navigate Portales is compared to Miami. Cowart stated that “Portales is, and will forever be, too small” to bring what he missed most from Miami to Portales.
Although Cowart’s experience in Portales and at Eastern has been short of the experience students at Miami University experience, he stated that he has enjoyed his college journey at Eastern. Cowart stated that he has “made lifelong friends” that have made his time in Portales unforgettable.
It’s clear that South Beach, or the fresh vegetation and ocean breeze of Samoa will never be available to experience in Portales. But after observing Portales and Eastern you can see that the people who live here make it a big place. So many people from around the world, big and small, bring their culture, while taking on some of Portales’ culture at the same time, giving the people who live in Portales a national, and global experience.
