Growing up in a small Kentucky town, I never saw myself venturing far across the United States. Traveling, maybe, but never uprooting my life and moving to another state. As I approached my senior year, however, I felt more and more passionate about exploring the world outside of what I've always known. I came to realize that comfort zones are dangerous places because you'll never succeed if you stay in them.

The end of my junior year of high school, I began doing college research and looking at every university in the southern United States with no clue where I wanted to go. I then Googled "universities in Alabama," because that was the next state I decided to look in. I scrolled through a list and stumbled upon Troy University, and I decided to click on the link to Troy's website. I quickly became intrigued and interested, wondering how I'd never heard of this university before. From a few pictures, I could tell that the campus was stunning, and that alone told me that I had to drive 500 miles to see it for myself.

The second I arrived on campus on that hot, July day, I felt like I was in another world. I passed Trojan Village and Rushing Hall, and those buildings alone told me I was somewhere very special. The moment I finished my campus tour I knew that I was home.

Troy University is a smaller school than most with a better campus than many larger universities. The faculty and professors I met at Troy are like none other, and their care and expertise was evident through each conversation we had. Troy is unique in that it provides big school athletics and activities while still being small enough that it feels like home and genuinely feels like you're a part of a family.

The love and heart that the students and faculty at Troy have for this university are enough to show anyone that Troy University is truly a special place.