Branding NoVA, is it possible?
Last week we heard from fellow Northern Virginian, Jeremy, who wrote that Northern Virginians have a distinct image. “We’re career-oriented. We want to build a career here, not necessarily meet someone or make it rich here,” he says.
In response, I received an e-mail last week from Jihye (Jee-hay) who is 21-years old, from South Korea and recently moved to the States to pursue a bachelor’s degree. She sent me the following message:
“Northern Virginia definitely has a brand. I recently moved here from another country. I can speak English, but it’s not as easy as speaking my native language. I am very unfamiliar with the culture here. My question is am I included in NoVA’s brand because I’m living in NoVA, or am I merely an outsider?”
The Metro-D.C. area is home to thousands of international residents and first-generation Americans. As a teacher at Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University, many of my students come from China, Japan, Vietnam, Eastern Europe, South America and various parts of Africa. They speak languages such as Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, French, and Farsi and have taught me about their cultures, customs, traditions, and religions, which they have managed to incorporate into their daily lives. No matter our “brand” Northern Virginia is truly a melting pot. We can drive to Annandale for Korean barbeque, sample Ethiopian cuisine in virtually any neighborhood, visit The Eden Center in Falls Church for Vietnamese dishes, or cab it to your favorite kabob house in the area.
Northern Virginia can feel like an international community at times, and like Jihye, you may feel like a newcomer. I’m not from NoVA; neither are the majority of people I know who live here. But over time, you will eventually call NoVA home.
If you are new to Northern Virginia, do you feel like an outsider, or are you assimilating into the area with relative ease? Also, send me your plans for Valentine’s Day or V-day dates that bombed. Let’s share! E-mail me at littleredbook@northernvirginiamag.com.
-Katie
Tags: Katie Greenan, Little Red Book, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, nova mag, relationships
3 Responses
Shay Says:
February 8th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
February 8th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
I think that NoVA comes off as a “brand” just because it’s centered by Washington D.C and D.C is home of most government jobs. Just because so many people in the area work for the government, the area may come off as a “career oriented brand.” However, like any other areas I think NoVA is about more than just careers. It’s also a place for families, children, schools, relationships, etc. There’s always more to an area than just work, even though NoVA is more of a career oriented location. I’m originally from North Carolina, but I still feel at home living in NoVA. Compared to North Carolina it’s just much more populated and business like, but there are families and schools everywhere like any other place. So overall, no I wouldn’t say NoVA is a “brand” at all.
James Says:
February 8th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
February 8th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
There is a culture to NoVA, but that’s true of everywhere. No matter where you travel to, there’ll be a distinct regional identity. It’s true that a lot of NoVA people who are totally part of the culture are not from here. As a matter a fact, there’s a Youtube video going around about stuff DC people say (editing for another “s” word)and has things in there that I do indeed hear all the time. But one of the first phrases that comes up on the video is: “Right, but where are you from originally?” I’m a northern Virginian, and have been for years. But I am not from here originally. Jihye might need some time to get comfortable, but I’m sure she’ll feel at home given time.
February 8th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
I was born and raised in NoVa, but I completely agree that we are a brand. We are hardworking and driven to succeed. I left for two and a half years and realized that not everyone is like a Northern Virginian. Life isn’t as intense or as fast-paced in the Chicagoland area. People have a slightly slower speed. We definitely have a mix of cultures and identities here especially compared to my school’s Chicago suburb, which was completely vanilla. I know my childhood friends can’t imagine living any where else and I was drawn back to the area, but I know plenty of transplants as well. The best part is that even with the brad there is still an incredible amount of diversity.