SEC S15 WK3 - GROWING UP IN A RURAL OR URBAN AREA

Basically, urban or rural areas remain comfortable areas to live in, it all depends on our adaptation in integrating with the social life created there.

For me, who was born and raised in the countryside, of course it has become commonplace with rural life and local culture. Then what about urban areas? I was also part of the urban community when I studied undergraduate education in Banda Aceh City for 5 years. Urban or rural areas have their own characteristics and uniqueness.

Differentiate between urban and rural areas stating three major features

• Environment
  The most striking of the two, in urban areas is dominated by tall buildings, asphalt, concrete layers, motorized vehicles and air that has been polluted by pollution. Meanwhile, in rural areas the air is still clean because the environment is still maintained with green trees, rice fields and minimal motorized vehicles or factories that cause waste.
  ^{Illustraion - A Rural Area}

• Population density
  In urban areas the population is denser due to the immigration of rural residents to cities, while in rural areas the population is smaller. If you pay attention, population density also influences house construction patterns. Development in urban areas tends more towards the vertical direction, while in rural areas it tends towards the horizontal direction.

• Interaction Patterns
  The differences between urban and rural characteristics can then be seen from their interaction patterns. City communities tend not to have family relationships with the surrounding community, while village communities tend to find it easier to build interactions and relationships between communities with each other.

Which area did you grow up and why?

As I explained at the beginning of the paragraph, I was born and raised in a rural area within the North Aceh Regency, Aceh Province - Indonesia. Until now I still live in that village, the reason is because my family and my work location are still in the same area. In short, I haven't had a good reason to move, and I'm very comfortable with rural life.

^{Illustraion - Urban Area}

If you were told to go to the area you didn't grow up from, will you?

If we're talking about settling down, I don't think it's time yet! I feel quite comfortable living in my current area. Although it is not uncommon for me to feel the desire to visit some very remote villages and experience life there, or even try life in a big city. The reason is simple, I want to experience life in both environments. Even though I currently live in a rural area, the village is not in a remote area. Or when I studied undergraduate, my campus location was not in a big city like Jakarta or big cities in other countries.

What things are there in the area you grew up from that aren't in the other?

There is no specific difference between my region and other regions, be it its uniqueness, geographical location, culture or anything else. But I like the pattern of interaction which is still strong with brotherhood and mutual help between fellow citizens. It could be said that the interaction patterns in rural areas still make me feel at home and have no intention of moving to another area. ^{Inviting : @jufrimj @heriadi @irawandedy}

Indonesia, February 1, 2024