So many of my friends stayed close to home when we all went to college. Not me. No way. Ever since I was about 13, I knew that I wanted to go far, far away for college. Even though I’ve been 1,645 miles for only about six months, I have learned so much.

Firstly, I have learned that regional differences in the United States are indeed present. Funny accents aside, people are actually more strikingly different than I had ever known or realized. Everything from the weather, to food, to the way people spend holidays is unique to different states or regions. I obviously knew about regional and state stereotypes (i.e. I’m from Wisconsin, so I clearly live on a farm), but I didn’t realize their significance. I’m learning about the major cities in the surrounding region, as well as other major cities in neighboring states. Some regional differences are subtle, like certain phrases, weather dictating daily life. But other things, like politics, economy and beliefs, are more noticeable. The best way to learn about different people is to experience their culture, which has been one of the most interesting parts about living and going to school in Washington.

Often, one does not fully appreciate something until it is removed/gone from their life at the present moment. It is impossible to know the effect of something on your life until it is removed. Even though I love living so far away from my hometown, being so far away makes me appreciate it even more. Explaining your hometown to new people from different parts of the country is a wonderful, amazing feeling. Teaching people about the place that is inherently you is feeling that causes such emotional warmth and elation. The separation from my hometown has only made me appreciate it more fully. Also, going home is one of the most magical experiences. One values their time at home far more when one doesn't have the ability to go home every weekend.

Lastly, the part that I have grown to love the most is that I have found myself. There was no pressure for me to be anyone I am not inherently. When I came to campus, I knew no one, apart from my roommate, who I only half-knew and had met for an hour prior to move in. One of the first days on campus, the entire freshman class all met in the baseball stadium. My roommate and I walked to the stadium together. We sat down next to a guy who went to high school with her. He will always be special to me because he is the first person who I met at college who was not my roommate. I remember sitting it that stadium and thinking, “Dear God, I know the girl sitting next to me, and just met this other guy, but no one else.” I smiled when it finally hit me that I can be the most organic, pure version of myself and no on would have any preconceived notions about me. At this moment, I realized that going far, far away was the best thing that I could have ever done.

Moving 1,645 miles away to become a Zag was the best decision this Wisconsin girl could have ever made.