If you know anything about Pennsylvania, you know that we have two major cities that lie on either side of the state (sorry Erie, you just aren't going to make the cut this time). These two cities are about as divided as they come.
In Philadelphia there is the Cheesesteak, the Flyers (and Gritty), and one (1) Superbowl ring. In Pittsburgh, they put coleslaw and fries on a sandwich, have the Penguins, and six rings. I'm lucky enough to call both of these cities my "home", although I use that term lightly.
I actually grew up in a small town about 40 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, but the culture was pretty much the same. What we lacked in "citiness" we made up for in small-town life.
I didn't grow up riding the subway, or with a mall two minutes away. I grew up having to drive more than a half hour to get to anything that even remotely resembles a mall, even further to get to the good ones. I grew up having the first day of Buck off (The Monday after Thanksgiving for those of you who didn't know) and it was completely normal for kids to skip school to go hunting. And we all come home for breaks from school, we all go to the same restaurant. It's how it goes where I grew up.
So, I left. I hated small-town life. I hated the feeling of not having anything. I felt like if I stayed local for college, or went to the same school that the majority of my classmates would attend, I would never leave.
I am by no means dissing those who live in my town or those I graduated with, it's just what I want for myself. When I realized that my major and my plans for after school didn't match my zip code, I knew I had one choice, and that was to get the hell out. I could have gone to Pittsburgh and attended any of the schools there (I got into most of them), but I felt like that wasn't enough. I needed more.
The summer of 2016, I spent a week in Philly for the 2016 DNC. And I fell in love. Everything about this city felt right to me. I loved the history, the people, the skyline. I knew that I wanted to stay there forever, and perhaps the DNC itself had something to do with that, but either way; Philly became my end goal.
So, I applied to Temple. And forgot about it. Until my acceptance letters (and one rejection letter) came in, then I remembered. And I got in. It was like my fate was sealed.
Some people love the place they grew up. They love being close to everything they know and love. I love the comforts of home, believe me, I miss having a bathtub. But at some point, you have to know what you want. And I knew what I wanted.
People always ask me (especially when I'm home): "Why so far away? Why Temple?" Truthfully, when it comes to choosing a place that essentially jump starts your future, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
I chose not to stay local because, for me, there was nothing for me. I'm into politics and law, and I like learning. I can't learn anything about that living at home. I wanted to live in a major city, and though Pittsburgh it right there, it doesn't have my heart like Philly does.
I have two homes: One that raised me, and one that welcomed me. I'm so happy I left home.
