When I went through the college decision making process, I went back and forth with each and every feature of the schools that I applied to. I asked myself the same question many times before making my choice: big city or small town? Coming from someone who grew up in a town where the high school housed students from two separate towns, making the population of the school a little over 1,200; you would assume I would choose big city. However, you would assume incorrectly. I chose a small town. The town of Dudley, Massachusetts.

Aside from Nichols College which I find to be the best part of Dudley, there are various nooks and crannies and tiny gems that fill this little town, along with its surrounding tiny city, Webster, MA.

The first time I visited Dudley I noticed quite a few things that shared similarities with my very own hometown, Whitman. The farms, the small family owned businesses and that one corner coffee shop that everyone seems to love just a little more than Dunkin Donuts. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, I visited in the Fall and all of the trees covered in turning leaves, glistening in the sunshine while swaying with the October breeze. One particular image I have in my mind, cemented forever, is the view when I am driving up School Street, and the trees are filled with colorful leaves creating an overhang for the passing cars, and through the trees the stark white church steeples pierces through.

Small towns have a thousand hidden gems. Dudley is filled with beautiful rolling hills, green grass and farmland with the most adorable cows. In the winter, Dudley looks like something from the Chronicles of Narnia. We have a beautiful hiking trail and breathtaking views. We even see our fair share of deer!

Big cities are filled with secrets and you can get lost and blend in whenever you feel the need. The city life is thrilling, but there is nothing better than the stillness of nature and seeing every single start in the sky, breathing in fresh, clean air.

It is no surprise that the college I attend, Nichols, is also very small. I find it suiting, do you agree? The college mirrors the town, a small community feel with all the personalized benefits. Knowing employees at all of the local establishments, running into your classmates at the convince store and knowing the Domino's delivery guy (probably a little more than you should.)

I didn't chose a small town because I feared the city, but because I enjoy all of the unique features and because it's a place where I can take "quiet" to whole new level. Support local small businesses and engulf yourself in nature. Small towns are hidden gems of this bustling world.