International Corner

Bristol, VA/TN : A Good Place to Live

Hello, my name is Jennifer Moore and I am from Bristol, Virginia, USA. Bristol is unique in the fact that it is located two different states, Virginia and Tennessee. The picture of the Bristol city sign is actually showing you the division between the two states. Bristol is located in the Appalachian Mountains, so we are somewhat similar to Korea in the fact that we have a lot of mountains surrounding us, but I think our mountains would be considered babies compared to Korean mountains.

Bristol is actually a lot smaller than Daegu, we only have a population of 45,000 compared with Daegu’s 2.1 million! Our population does swell by more than 160,000 people two times a year, in March and in August, because of the two NASCAR races held in Bristol.

NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, and it is the most popular motor sport in the United States. Bristol Motor Speedway (http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com) is best known as the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” and one of the most popular tracks for fans to watch because of the drama (car crashes and fights) that usually takes place on the track.

Other than car racing, Bristol is also known as the Birthplace of Country Music. In 1927, many old time mountain musicians recorded the first country music record in Bristol and ever since then Bristol has made a lot of efforts to continue with its musical heritage. Every week there is always free Appalachian Bluegrass music being played somewhere in town. The most popular festival is the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion (http://www.bristolrhythm.com/). Where for three days in September, country music is played by over 100 performers for only $35 (₩35,000) downtown Bristol.

For fun, there really isn’t much other than outdoor activities. If there is an outdoor activity that you want to do, we can find it for you. Want go hiking? We got that. You want to go white water rafting? We got that. You want to go canoeing? Fishing? Mountain biking? Hunting? Dirt biking? Motorcycling? Camping? Waterskiing? Scuba diving? Horseback riding? Golfing? Caving? You just name it, we’ve got it. But in the way of clubs and bars, well, I think we have four in Bristol, you will have to go to Johnson City (30 minutes) or Knoxville (1 hour 30 minutes) for major partying.

There are several higher education facilities in the Bristol area. Bristol has two colleges within its city limits. There is King College located in Bristol, Tennessee, and then there is Virginia Intermont College located in Bristol, Virginia. I attend East Tennessee State University, which is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, about 45 minutes from where I live in Bristol and it is about the size of Keimyung University.

So basically, my little country city would be a great place for those who like a little bit slower pace in life and like things a little bit on the quiet side. If you want sexy, fast paced living I recommend you head on up to New York City. Otherwise, if you want to experience gentle Southern American living, Bristol would be a perfect little slice of Americana for you.

As they say in Bristol, “Ya’ll come and visit us, ya hear?”


By Jennifer Moore
(Senior, Department of Psychology)