At We Are Memphis, we love sharing stories that reflect the city’s soul—and sometimes that means seeing Memphis through fresh eyes. Noah Eckel, a fourth-year optometry student at Southern College of Optometry, didn’t plan to end up in Memphis. But what started as a move for school quickly became a personal journey of discovery, connection, and community. In this guest blog, Noah shares his honest reflections on making the move from Maryland to Memphis, what surprised him about life in the Mid-South, and how he found belonging in the heart of the city.
The Decision: Arrival
If five years ago you told me that I’d one day be living in Memphis, I would’ve been just as shocked as anyone. I’m a native Marylander who spent most of my life on the East Coast, so I never thought I’d stray too far from home. But education has a strange way of bringing about unforeseen circumstances, and five years later, here I am, studying optometry at a school that’s nearly halfway across the country and much farther south than I ever thought I’d end up living.
From the time I decided to pursue a career in optometry, I subconsciously assumed that I would remain on the East Coast throughout the remainder of my educational (and professional) career. But after several conversations with local optometrists about my interest in the field, one name kept recurring due to its strong reputation within the optometric community: Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. Intrigued by SCO’s excellent reputation, I applied to the school in November 2021, despite the fact that I knew almost nothing about Memphis apart from some vague associations with Elvis and famous barbecue. Not surprisingly, SCO lived up to its reputation and exceeded my expectations throughout the entire application process. Perhaps more surprisingly, I found myself moving down to Memphis nine months later.
The Difficulty: Adjustment
When I arrived, my emotions were equal parts excitement and apprehension. I was about to begin a new chapter in my life, and it promised to be unlike any chapter yet. Moving from the Mid-Atlantic to the Mid-South, I soon realized that I was in a decidedly different culture. Even though I was new to the area and knew little about it, the laid-back pace and personality of Memphis was a stark contrast to the more businesslike and up-tempo culture I was used to back home. Adjusting to this cultural shift was not always easy, but at SCO I found a kind and welcoming atmosphere that is reflected, on a larger scale, in the city of Memphis itself.
The Discovery: Acclimation
From a professional perspective, SCO’s location in the Memphis Medical District provides an excellent opportunity for collaboration with other health care providers, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and Regional One Medical Center, to name a few. This high concentration of health care providers and their associated educational programs allows for a vibrant community of graduate students that is not limited to a single medical profession. Thanks to the Memphis Medical District and its associated entities, I’ve had the chance to meet not only lots of fellow optometry students, but also other students and residents from neighboring health care institutions.
However, even if you’re not in a health care-related field, Memphis still has plenty to offer. Two of my greatest passions – exercising and eating – have helped me to discover the unique versatility that Memphis offers to residents with a wide variety of interests. Regardless of your own interests or hobbies, Memphis is almost guaranteed to provide you with an avenue to pursue your passions. Having played competitive sports for a large portion of my childhood and young adulthood, I’ve enjoyed recreational soccer and pickleball at local facilities like Greenfield Arena and Pickleball 901. And during most of the year when the weather’s temperate enough for outdoor activities, Memphis offers excellent running, walking and biking trails ranging from Shelby Farms Park in the east to Tom Lee Park in the west. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, there is an equally impressive offering of foods. Everyone seems to be familiar with Memphis’s famous barbecue and fried chicken, but I’ve been thrilled to discover the variety and quality of global cuisine that’s available within the city. From pho and ramen to shawarma and couscous, you can experience a taste of India, Africa, the Middle East or Southeast Asia without ever leaving the Memphis metro area. And the majority of these restaurants are unique to Memphis, owned and operated by hardworking Memphians.
Before I arrived in Memphis, I heard lots of good things about the Memphis food scene, and I couldn’t help but think that it must be overstated. But after living here for several years, I’ve come to realize that it is a microcosm of Memphis itself. In most cases, the power of a city lies in its people, and Memphis is no exception. You can’t find Taconganas, Takashi Bistro or Global Café anywhere else besides Memphis. These aren’t large corporate chain restaurants with locations scattered across the country, but rather local businesses whose owners are committed to channeling their culinary passion in order to serve the local community. It is through my experience with the Memphis food scene that I’ve come to realize that, at the end of the day, Memphis is made special not by its hospitals, schools and research centers (though there are many), nor by its restaurants, pubs and parks (though they are wonderful). Ultimately, what makes Memphis so special is the thousands of hardworking people who continually pour their time, energy and passion into their local communities. Because of this, I’ve learned that Memphis is an extraordinary city – one in which everybody can find their own niche while simultaneously contributing to the city’s greater community.
Noah Eckel is a fourth-year student and member of the Class of 2026 at Southern College of Optometry, located at 1245 Madison Ave. in Midtown Memphis. He serves as a student ambassador for the college.
