I'm from the good ole Golden State, California. I love it so much, I always thought I hated California, that was until I moved out of state for school. I love the Pacific Northwest so so much, I can't even describe the way I feel when I'm at school. I feel at home, I feel welcomed, I feel like an individual rather than part of a group. California is very different from Washington, more specifically Pullman. People are always in a hurry, there's traffic, people keep up on fashion trends like how Koalas keep on trees, When I came to WSU last year as a freshman these are the most frequent questions I got for being out of state: 1) Do you miss your family? - Obviously I miss my family, I can't drive to the West side and visit them over long weekends like every other person here can.
2) Oh you're from California?! Do you always go to the beach and surf? - This one actually makes me laugh because I tell people I live by San Francisco, there's not many places you wanna surf here. Also it's not very warm.
3) Why would you ever leave California?! - There's a thing called change. I wanted something completely new, a fresh place that I have never experienced before.
Coming out of state is like a fresh breath of air. You know the one when you've been cooped in somewhere all day and you finally step outside and the air just hits you so you take a deep breathe and suddenly feel like everything's ok again. That's what coming out state feels like. For the most part you don't know a sole, and nobody knows you. I could be whoever I want to be. Coming to a school with over 23,000 new faces can be overwhelming. Students head out to college every fall, usually within their home state or a few hours from home. I was not that girl. I applied to one in state school and while applying to colleges I knew I needed that fresh breathe of air.
The truth about moving out of state for college was a little crazy, but the best decision I have ever made. Of course I've have moments where the idea of transferring to be closer to home sounds more ideal, I don't think I ever will. Coming out of state can be hard at times, especially when you realize that your family is three states away. That there is nobody or no one to fall back on. That you are almost completely alone. Thankfully my family is very supportive and through school I have made some of the best friends I have ever had.
What people don't think about is the loneliness, the homesickness, and every other con that comes with making the decision to leave. I have never felt so alone at times and have never felt so lost either. I have experienced this whole spectrum of emotions to only come to the conclusion that these emotions fade, they make your stronger, and allow you to realize that you did make the right decision, it's just hard.
So if you're thinking about take that great leap of faith and leaving your state for school. I say go for it. What's the worse thing that happens? You're out of your comfort zone for a little while? If you're really that miserable you can always transfer schools. Leaving California every break is sad and hard but knowing I'm going to someplace like Washington makes it so much better.
