As a North Carolina native, home of Duke University and the University of North Carolina, people always ask me why I chose to go to the University of Arizona, a place almost 2,000 miles from home. Choosing a college or university to attend after high school is a big life decision for any 17 or 18-year-old; it is a decision many consider to be critical to their future. Even though there are over 5,000 colleges and universities in the United States, the majority of high school students stay within 100 miles or less from their home when choosing a place to further their education. Due to this, the wide-eyes, open mouth, and shocked expressions painted across the faces of every person I meet are all common responses I have received after mentioning that I call home a place several states away. I often get questions about why I left, my time in North Carolina, and why I chose the University of Arizona; so to clear the air, this is my story.
I just want to start by saying that I love North Carolina. I have met several students from out-of-state who say that they left where they’re from because they either hated it or they hated their parents and needed to get away. However, this is not at all the case for myself. Some of my most precious memories, moments, and people are from North Carolina; I mean, how could you not enjoy being in a place only two hours from the beach and three hours from the mountains? I could not have asked for a better place to grow up and North Carolina will forever be in my heart. However, these positive remarks oftentimes only confuse people more because what follows is the all-to-familiar question, “Well if you liked it so much, then why did you leave?” I didn’t leave North Carolina because I hated it or wanted to leave my parents, but I was encouraged to do so.
Some students were born knowing exactly where they wanted to go to further their education, other students had ideas and options to sort through, but I had absolutely no idea. No idea where I wanted to go, and no idea where I would end up. I was a student that had no loyalty to any particular school and no desire to go anywhere specific in the country, but I did have my mom tell me, “Go at least two states away. I want you to go out and find yourself.” A remark that often shocks people I have just met. Most people cannot believe that my mother would ever say or encourage that, as most of their parents don’t want them to leave for a school only two hours away. This remark was one that stuck with me when applying to colleges; I applied to schools mostly up North, with a few scattered in the south, and one across the county in Arizona. When the decisions came back, I still had several options and still not one preference. It wasn’t until a few days before a decision had to be made, when I chose the university I would attend. With little knowledge on the school, and never having visited, I made a decision I have never regretted: to attend the University of Arizona.
I may be three hours behind and 2,000 miles from home, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any either way. I may miss the beaches, trees, and many friends I left in North Carolina, but I love the desert road trips, starry night skies, and the new friends that I have found out here in Arizona. Though my decision to go across the county for school has shocked many, I am so grateful for the experience. I am blessed to have my mother who has always encouraged me in all things; especially, to go out and find myself. I decided to attend a university almost 2,000 miles away from home because I wanted to go outside of my comfort zone and experience something new; an experience that would hopefully shape me into the person I am to become.