My home state is awesome, don't get me wrong, but I knew from a young age that I wanted to (temporarily) leave the beautiful palm trees and beaches for something more - something different. There's an excitement factor to leaving your home for new people, new places, and new adventures, and it's hard to rival. Choosing to go to school outside my home state was one of the best decisions I have ever made and here's why:
1) You get to step outside your comfort zone.
Moving to a completely new environment is a tough transition for anyone, let alone an 18 year-old college student leaving home for the first time. Going to an unfamiliar city with minimal knowledge about the state or region can definitely be nerve-wracking, but it is so worth it. Leaving home for school essentially forces you to explore areas outside your comfort zone and that's a blessing in disguise.
2) You get a fresh start.
No one knows who you are; no one knows your past; no one cares who you were in high school. For one of the few times in your life, you get a completely blank slate, and it's the most refreshing thing EVER.
3) You meet people from all across the country.
If you go to school where you grew up, the chances are that the people around you did the same. While it's great to stick with the same group of friends for 10+ years, it's also nice to meet people from completely different places as you. Leaving home for school means befriending people with different ideals, perspectives, and values than you've experienced before.
4) You enjoy new cultures and ways of life.
When you are submerged in an unfamiliar lifestyle, you quickly have to acclimate. It's so intriguing learning about other ways of life, even within our own country. Each region of the United States has its own, unique characteristics, and college is a chance for you to be exposed to all of them at once.
5) You appreciate home so much more.
Whether you love your town or you hate it, there's something special about returning to your roots. If you get to go home once or twice a month, that appreciation isn't as strong. I'm thankful for the once-a-semester trips back home because I value those moments so much more. Distance does indeed make the heart grow fonder.
