Why Here Everything is Better

Everyone has their own unique way of loving Texas, more specifically San Antonio. Whether it be the flowing Guadalupe river, vivid culture, or the overwhelming pride of being a Texan everyone has a specific reason for loving this city. For Dr. Sue Nash, HEB was her reason. Growing up in Jamaica, Dr. Nash did not have the typical upbringing kids have in America. She was raised in the rural town called Mandeville with her two brothers. When she was faced with the opportunity to go to America on a student visa, immediately Nash took it. The first place she moved to was a small town named Bowling Green, Ohio. Around the age of 15, Nash entered high school as a sophomore. It wasn’t easy having to adjust to a different way of learning but in fact, it was even more challenging to make friends with the other students who had already known each other their whole lives. Being an exchange student, Nash felt more comfortable and at home with the other international students. After her graduation from Bowling Green State University, Dr. Nash received her Ph.D. in sociology and went on to work at the University of South Florida.

The transition of moving from USF to St. Mary’s University was made easy by South Florida and by the faculty of St. Mary’s. For Dr. Nash it was a noticeable quality of how kind and respectful the students are at St. Mary’s. Despite only being here for a year Dr. Nash has settled in nicely to the new surroundings San Antonio offers. Before coming here, Nash assumed this city would be busy and hectic, with a very impersonal feel. After arriving she soon realized this big and busy city has a small town feel and welcoming community. Going to events like the Helotes farmers market Nash was able to see, hear, smell, and taste all the different aspects of the hispanic culture here in San Antonio. Something that surprised Dr. Nash was how the people celebrated so much and the many different ways the people of San Antonio showed their affection towards their city and culture. After experiencing the various activities and cultural differences San Antonio has to offer, there is one thing that stood out to Nash.

It is something that reminds her of home every time she walks down the aisles. It is HEB--the place everyone goes for their most basic needs or for the most complex recipes, HEB. where she enjoys the mangos, the jackfruit, and the coconut cakes that taste like the grater cake served in Jamaica. Dr. Nash goes to HEB not just to shop for treats, but where she goes to find comfort in seeing the foods of her home. This one grocery store in this huge city is the favorite thing to Dr. Sue Nash and might be for many others.

My name is Hanna Randle, I am a freshman at Saint Mary’s University and I am studying Communications. I’ve lived in San Antonio for the duration of my high school years and before that I lived in Mantel, Germany. I lived overseas for about 7 years and loved every second. Many people will never step foot on a plane so I appreciate very much this. Being an Army brat, I understood the struggle of making friends in new places like Dr. Nash once did. I was drawn to this story during orientation, Dr. Nash spoke briefly of her time in Jamaica and I wanted to know more. This Texas Story Project not only gave me, but everyone who reads it, the chance to go deeper into someone else's life and to be able to understand the different ways we end up places.

Posted October 11, 2018

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