Tyler Hood knows what it’s like to grow up in a small town. A native of Whiteville, in Columbus County, Hood said he has had to make quite an adjustment upon moving to Raleigh.

He describes Whiteville as the kind of town where everyone knows each other — and all each other’s gossip.

In fact, prior to arriving at N.C. State, Hood attended a community college near his hometown.

While Hood admits that growing up in a small town has its perks, he said he’s fitting in quite well as part of the 35,000-strong student body here at NCSU.

Hood is a junior majoring in history, an area that is sometimes forgotten, as it is immersed in a sea of math, science and engineering majors.

Hood said he wanted to go into law, but said so far his history experience at State “is actually rather dry.”

Over this past fall break, Hood said he was relieved to have a break from his classes.

He revisited his hometown and said he enjoyed going to the Columbus County Fair. However, Hood said he didn’t go on any of the rides at the fair due to safety concerns.

“They’re the kind of rides that get assembled while you’re riding them,” he said in jest. Regardless of his small town beginnings, Hood said he has not limited his experience to that area alone.

Recently he took a trip to Korea to visit a friend in an exchange program. Hood revealed that he experienced quite a bit of culture shock during his visit.

While staying near Seoul, Korea’s capital, he observed that while the social system of classes is similar to that of the United States, the similarities end there. And Hood’s list of hobbies ends there as well. When asked about his interests and hobbies, he responded in a manner that may resonate with many students.

“I used to have hobbies, but it got too expensive,” he said. “My life’s pretty sad, I guess,” he added with a grin.