I wouldn’t change a single thing about going from big city to a small one. Nothing makes you appreciate the little things in life more than that transition. You get to experience two completely different lifestyles while finding who you want to be and what you want to do in college. It truly is a breath of fresh air.

Normally you hear stories about how a girl leaves a smaller town or city and heads off to the big city to follow their dreams. But that couldn’t be any more different in some cases. Me for example. I grew up in the Twin Cities, and it was incredible. There was always something to do someone to see and an adventure waiting.

But once college hit, things changed. Instead of going from small city to big, I went from big to small. And oh boy was it a life changer. Instead of heading off to the Big Apple or the West Coast, I headed for the middle of nowhere, Grand Forks North Dakota and I couldn’t have asked for it any other way. Sure the jump from the big Twin Cities to small Grand Forks was a bit of a change, but it turned me into the person I am today.

Without this small city I wouldn’t have made the friends I did or made the memories I did. I wouldn't be s outgoing or charismatic if it wasn't for the comfort of my little college city. I would have never imagined being where I am today if it wasn’t for the mentality of this little city I now call home for 9 months out of the year. Sure I can no longer drive 5 minutes to a lake, or go into the big city to see the night lights. But I can now find new adventures, stargaze in a field (and trust me North Dakota is not running short on fields), or hang out with the incredibly tight-knit group of friends this small city has given me. I can hit up the local crappy food joint everyone loves during the school year, then head to the classy establishments of downtown Minneapolis for some rooftop dining over the summer.

I have made endless memories in both my big and small city, all unique in their own way. These two different cities give me so much to appreciate. The two completely different styles allow me to live an amazing life with many different kinds of adventures and story to tell for the years. I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world. Nothing feels more homey than my small city, but nothing feels more like home than my Twin Cities.

I may be a small town girl now but I will always be a city girl at heart. You may be able to take the girl out of the big city, but you can't take the big city out of the girl. You can’t get rid of me that easily Minneapolis/St. Paul.