I was born and raised in the rural, Pocono region of Pennsylvania. When college decision time came around, I could not wait to get out. Many people love to vacation in the Poconos and it's great and all for the occasional visit. However, for me, living there my whole life made me feel like I was missing out on a lot. I lived in a small town, and graduated from a high school where I knew every person in my graduating class. Ever since I was a little girl visiting cities, my eyes would be wide, fascinated by all the excitement around me. That is what I wanted; I wanted a new kind of excitement. Living in the middle of nowhere made me hungry to experience what else there is to life, and college was the perfect opportunity to get a taste of it.
Many Pennsylvanians criticized my decision to go to the “armpit state” to study Public Relations. No one understood the depth of my decision to attend my New Jersey medium-sized, suburban school. The school was the perfect option for my college education, for my future, and just plain and simple, my appetite to experience more.
The college experience is much more than just books, classes, and professors. Many students love to adventure off campus with friends to discover the surrounding area. New Jersey offers the shore, amusement parks, picturesque neighborhoods and plenty of college football, such as Rutgers and Princeton, right on your doorstep. Living in the area I did in PA meant a trip to the mall would easily have to be a 30 minute drive. However, in the suburban area where I attend college, a mall or restaurant is only 10 minutes away. It is so easy to stay busy and almost impossible to be bored on a weekend.
A typical Saturday could be a nice stroll through Princeton after cheering on the Tigers at a home football game. If I was looking for more of a thrill I could head to Six Flags. For a more relaxing adventure, a walk on the Jersey Shore is always fun. The options are endless. That stuff probably seems boring and trite for New Jersey natives. For us out of state folks, it's a lot of fun.
So besides all of the fun and games Jersey has offered me, it has helped to set me up for my future. As a young and confused high school student I was slammed with all the typical, overwhelming questions. One question that I could always answer was that I wanted to have a career in Center City Philadelphia. From my campus, The City of Brotherly Love is just a hop, skip, and jump across the Delaware River. There is just something about that city that has always intrigued me-- not sure if it is the lingering smell of cheesesteaks or the sound of angry cab drivers honking.
Coming to the Garden State to study was hands down the best decision I have ever made. Never should I have listened to one stereotype about this great state. New Jersey has given me a quality education, let me experience hilarious people, and has opened the door to many adventures that I have yet to embark on. I know I will never be able to proudly sport those “Jersey Girl” bumper stickers, but at least I know that a little piece of me has developed into something of a “Jersey Girl."
