Wow! I am not sure what to make of Prefontaine's or NickCVM's comments. As a native West Virginian attending WVSOM, I have always known that I was made fun of because of my heritage, but to find it in a professional forum is always disappointing. I agree that someone coming to my home might find culture shock if they have never been here. But I have lived all over, from the deep South to New England to Europe, and I still prefer my home crazy as that seems I know. Both of my parents have died in the last 4 months during the most stressful time of my life (med school), so I of all people have nothing to keep me here anymore. But I hope to stay and go back to my rural hometown and help out those who need me. I realize that is such an outdated concept to many reading this, but that is me.
But if you hate it so much, why stay here? To attend school here and yet disparage it so much is so hypocritical. Don't come here to get an education all the while ridiculing me. And even when you finally get your dream of leaving Appalachia, please do not treat your patients as you have treated me and my home. Your patients deserve so much better.
Billie