The years after high school look a little bit different for everyone. Some may go to a community college in their hometown, some may choose to go to trade school or immediately enter the workforce, or take a gap year. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to go to a four-year university, and I actually enjoyed my college search process.
During my college search, I looked at schools all over the country. Being from California, I had dozens of incredible options for public colleges, but I did not want to limit myself and only look within my home state. It was the summer before senior year that I found the University of Vermont. Looking at UVM, I knew something about it seemed different than other schools I looked at, and I felt a strong connection to it early on. The town of Burlington, complete with forests, a huge lake close to campus, and Ben and Jerry’s seemed like a perfect place to spend my four years. Not only was it my favorite school I considered, but it was also one of the furthest away. I was lucky enough to have my parent’s support, and that spring I committed to attending UVM.
In mid August, I packed up several boxes and suitcases and flew across the country to my new home. After a few days in Burlington with my family we said our goodbyes, and I embarked on a weeklong service trip through my university. During that week, I traveled to different Vermont food banks, food shelves, and farms to do service. That trip, the first week away from home in California and my family, made me feel confident that this state could be my home for the next few years. My experience after school started was equally amazing; I have never regretted my choice to go to this school in a place so far away.
One of the hardest parts of living thousands of miles from home is not being able to go home as often as other people. My hometown is not a car, bus, or train ride away. It is two to four flights, several hundred dollars, and a full day of traveling away. Most of my close friends from home chose to stay home and attend a community college, which has made being away from home even harder. I have been home twice since August 2015, first for a month of winter break, and second for my first month of summer break. It is a strange transition to be home almost the entire year for 18 years, and then be home for only two months, but I don’t mind it too much. Every time I choose to spend a break away from home, I can feel myself growing and gaining independence.
I have always been an independent person, but moving 3,000 miles away from home has taught me more about independence than I have ever known before. I have had to find my own housing when I come back from breaks too early to be in my dorm. Since my car is still in California, I have had to find my own transportation everywhere I go. When things get hard and I want to spend a weekend at home, that is not an option. Everyone grows and matures tremendously their first year of college, and I think attending school so far away has amplified that growth.
Not everything about moving so far away from home is bad, and in fact, I love it. I grew up my entire life in one state, and now I get to experience the other side of the country. I have traveled all over New England, a place I had never before explored, with my rugby team. I’ve been able to experience the beauty of New England autumns and Vermont’s green mountains. Living in Vermont even inspired me to spend my summer working at a summer camp in New Hampshire, an experience I will always be grateful for.
I have no idea what my future holds for me, or the next time I will be home in California after this winter. After I graduate I could move back to the west coast, stay here in Vermont, or move somewhere completely different. All I know is that leaving my home state has made me hungry to experience more of the world. For now, I am happy calling Burlington, Vermont, my home.
