Born in Oahu, Hawaii, Kaitlyn Starry is a traveler. Either visiting or living in nine countries, 25 USA states, and 9 German states, you could say she has a knack for adventure. She speaks fluent English, but her first language was German, which she picked back up in schooling. She spent most of her life in Utah, and then driving east to New Hampshire because of the doubts in Utah due to the dry climate and the pollution in the more western states. “The pollution from Utah was getting horrible, and we couldn’t even see the sky for 4 months.”

With so much travel comes a culture shock. One example of the differences between the western states and New England is the representation of religions. The majority of Utah’s population is made up of LDS, or Latter-Day Saints, also known as Mormons. Kaitlyn says in an interview that door to door solicitors are very common in Utah, and that it was shocking that, in New Hampshire, there are no people at your door trying to convince you to go to the church.

Another culture shock is the difference in foods. Kaitlyn says in an interview, “The food is amazing here, it’s got a lot of flavor and more sauces than I used to have. There are great restaurants, and sodas, and coffee, and all sorts amazing of drinks that I’ve never tried, but I’m quite excited about it. If people ask me to go try a place or a food, I’m all for it.” Kaitlyn also observes, “if anything from New Hampshire could shock other people around the world, it would be maple syrup, or really any maple product, like cream, cotton candy, sodas, etcetera.” Other foods that Kaitlyn mentions trying in New Hampshire are: whoopie pies, lobster rolls, other seafood, coffee, and other caffeinated sodas and drinks.

Common sense and etiquette are also very different among the different states. “People in Utah have really taught me to be respectful to mainly everyone or you get, well, shunned. Really, you get kind of shunned if you are not part of the Mormon religion. New Hampshire is more ‘chill’ in a ‘I don’t have to ask people’s parents’ permission to go to my house down the street so we can play video games’ kind of way.”, Kaitlyn says. She also says that parents and families seem to be much more open and accepting of their children trying out new things here in New Hampshire. Finally, the climate and environment are very different between Utah and New Hampshire. It is much colder here, but there are also more trees, less churches, and the diversity is much broader.