In case you didn’t know, I am from Ottawa Hills, Ohio. It’s a small little area, just bigger than MSU’s campus, within the city of Toledo. To people from the area, I’m from Ottawa Hills. To people from Michigan, I say I’m from Toledo. And when I meet someone from across the country, I’m from Ohio.
Until college, I never realized how difficult it would be to describe the village I’m from, but MSU really taught me how. Even though I live in Ohio, I’m not an Ohio State fan (I get asked that A LOT). My house is actually geographically closer to East Lansing and Ann Arbor than it is to Columbus, so I pretend I’m truly from Michigan a lot.
Being on campus really doesn’t change if you’re an out-of-state student. There are times where it doesn’t matter where you’re from, but what matters is that you’re at Michigan State. If anything, being from somewhere other than Michigan really opens up your life to new opportunities. I have met so many amazing people from all over the country who traveled incredible distances to be a Spartan; I think that’s really special. So while I say that it only takes me two hours to get to campus, there are people that will take a two-hour plane ride; It really emphasizes the diversity and welcoming nature MSU has.
Being from out-of-state really taught me what true friends are. Even when I first left for school and my high school friends went to different colleges, the strength of the bonds and friendships were tested. While some friendships fell through, some grew even stronger; the relationships I have with these people are so special to me and I wouldn’t have learned this without leaving for college.
While tuition SUCKS and I don’t live near my college friends, I’ve learned that there’s so much good about being an out-of-state student.