A few days before I moved in Emory & Henry College, the caretaker of my hotel floor wondered why I had come four thousand miles from London. I told her I was going to enter Emory & Henry College. She said: "You went all the way here to go to school?" This made me think:

1. It might be true that — historically — most people in this area go to a college close to their home.

The surrounding colleges, such as Milligan College, Vanderbilt University, King University, Appalachian State, and many more (I've heard) have the power to gather students from their neighbouring communities.

Overall it is still the case, but times and things are changing. In addition to a growing population from all other regions of the U.S., I have met students from Switzerland, Russia, Kenya, Japan, France, Mexico, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Viet Nam, Rwanda, Germany, China, and the United Kingdom.

This was only in my first semester at this college. Although we international students make no more than 6 % of the total student body, both the local and the foreign students I have met are incredibly open and friendly. Some locals even wish to give us opportunities for cultural experience; something the British never gave me.

2. It might be that traditionally in this area, given their vocabulary (the uses of "school" and "kids") gives an aura of immaturity to the American setting.

College could be viewed more as a second high school from a European viewpoint than as a university, and therefore would appear less serious.

But this is only a superficial misconception. Our professors, advisors, and staff members teach us to be independent. College is neither a university nor a high school. It is the bridge between both — the bridge between childhood and adulthood.

American undergraduate education has succeeded in giving young people the development opportunities they need to become adults, instead of throwing them into a vast ocean overnight with no sails to find their way. Our professors, our Dean, our President, our Alumni, and our staff members are our captains. They teach us to sail different ships: the academics, the social life, and the professional and personal developments.

We all need to be taught to sail before becoming captains ourselves. Yes, many people here are not quite ready to be adults — I include myself in those people — but in order to become an adult, I needed to move away from home. A three-hour drive was not far enough; I am glad to be an ocean away, for this place has given me the greatest opportunity in my entire lifetime to grow and stay positive at the same time. This college is already beginning to feel like my home away from home.