When narrowing down college choices, one of the major decisions we all have to make is "Do I stay in-state where I'm comfortable, or venture out of state and expand my horizons?" Although I personally ended up only moving one state over, I'm still incredibly glad that I ended up choosing the latter. While I know that every family has a unique situation and often staying in-state makes more sense financially, I believe that if you are fortunate enough to further your education in a different state that you should jump on that opportunity. Here are 5 reasons to consider an out-of-state school:
1. You'll have a new environment to explore.
It's one thing to visit an unfamiliar state, but to live there for 4 years...that's a different story. Being exposed to a new culture and vibe that your hometown cannot provide is an eye-opening experience that will get you thinking about how the way of life differs from place to place. Here's what I've personally taken from my experience: although they are bordering states, you'd be surprised how much the environment differs between New Jersey (my homeland) and Delaware (where I go to school). I've learned while being here that Delaware is a lot slower-paced, more rural, and just a lot more quiet...probably due to the fact that NJ is home to almost 8 million more people. Point is, if moving 2 hours away was a culture shock, I can imagine it would be extremely valuable and eye-opening to move across the country.
2. It will make you more independent.
If you're going to school out of state, you will likely be far enough from home that your parents won't be able to watch your every move and help you every step of the way. College is meant to help you transition from adolescence to adulthood, and living independently from your family is a great place to start.
3. You will gain a second home.
I haven't even been here for a year, but I already feel a ton of Delaware pride and get extremely excited when anyone mentions Delaware (or our favorite DE native, Joe Biden). I'm constantly learning about my current place of residence (fun fact: did you know Delaware only has 3 counties in the entire state?), and it is truly starting to feel like my second home.
4. It's fun to bond with people who know of your hometown.
It is a wonderful and beautiful experience to stumble upon someone who lives a town or two over from you while at school. You will undoubtedly have the "oh you're from _____? Do you know _____?" conversation multiple times throughout your college career, and it's so inexplicably comforting to come across that little slice of home.
5. ...it feels that much better when you finally come home.
You are going to have so much fun in your new state and grow immensely, but at the end of the day there's no place like home.
