To say that I grew up in a small town is kind of an understatement. The population of Jennings, Louisiana, is about 10,000 people. My hometown is one of those places where everyone knows everybody else, and the majority of families have had roots there for generations. Of course, my parents were the only exception to that rule, because they did not move there until after my dad got a job offer there. My mom jokes that she has lived in Louisiana all of her life, but before she and my dad decided to move to Jennings, she had no idea where or what it was. And that is true for the majority of people. To many it is just another exit off of Interstate 10; but to the people who live there, it is so much more.

Small towns have certain stereotypes attached to them that are often true. Everything seems to run slower, and they offer a much more laid-back lifestyle than big cities like New Orleans or Baton Rouge. And like most kids my age, I could not wait to get out. When I made my decision to come to Tulane my senior year, I was beyond excited. Just thinking about all of the experiences that college has to offer is thrilling enough, but to get to go to college in the amazing city of New Orleans? It was like all of my dreams had come true, and I am so, so glad that I made this choice. Even though I have only been living here for about five weeks, it has already given me so much knowledge I would not have gotten anywhere else: Like just how thankful I am for my small town.

I know some people reading this are probably questioning my sanity after that last sentence. Just hear me out. I love New Orleans, I love college, and one day I hope that I can live in different places and cities around the world and see what it has to offer; but being here away from my hometown, made me realize how special it is to grow up in the place that I did. I knew everyone who lived down our road, and my parents and babysitters never worried when my siblings and I played outside. I went to school with the same kids all the way through elementary school, and even though that changed when I went to high school about 30 minutes away, I still kept in touch with all of my friends. By the time I finished high school, I knew who every person in my graduating class was. Coming to Tulane, I realized that not everyone got to have that opportunity; it truly is a privilege.

It’s a privilege to grow up in a town where everybody knows your name, and the barista at the local coffee shop knows your order the minute you step in the door. It’s a privilege to go to church every Sunday and know the people sitting around you. It’s a privilege to live in a community where people come together when someone is hurt, having a rough time, or needs something; there is always someone there to lend a helping hand. It’s a privilege to go to a school where you know everyone, and you can loudly cheer at the sporting events because you know all of the players' and cheerleaders' names.

I know that growing up in a small town was not perfect, and there are probably things that I missed out on, not living in a big city, but I have the rest of my life for those experiences. I am thankful that my parents decided to raise us in a town that is a little bit off the map, but that has a really big heart; it went a long way into shaping me into the person I am today. I have no idea where this life will take me, but with my love for traveling, I pray that it takes me far and wide, and I get to see lots of this great world. It’s just a nice feeling knowing that whatever I do, wherever I go, there is always going to be a little town nestled in the heart of Cajun country that I can call my home.