My name is Sean Landrock and I am currently attending college in the state of South Dakota. Northern State University is the school I attend. I am currently working on a double major in English and German. Also, I am working on a certificate in teaching English as a second language. This is the first time in almost two years that I have been home since I left for school. Since I left my home I have come across a multitude of things that have honestly kept me kind of bummed and just not happy. I have had to deal with a lot of situations where if family was in the area I would have been better off

In the State of South Dakota I am the black sheep. I do not hold common the ideas that the people of South Dakota hold true within their culture. This difference in ideology and culture has caused me a lot of problems, because in the state of South Dakota if you are not like them, or believe as they do, or even do as they do you are amongst the condemned. These differences have left me feeling like I cannot even express myself without being made out to be some type of bad guy, because I do not agree with their ideology. Not everyone within the state is this closed minded. There are those few, who are truly open minded people, but even these people have no desire to remain in the state I’ve noticed. I personally do not blame them for wanting to leave those who condemn them for just being themselves. It is because of these feelings I decided to finally go back home to my family. With me being around my family with all these feelings of alienation and confusion surrounding my experiences in South Dakota and, discussing these feelings with them along with just simply being around my peoples A.K.A…. My Family has made all the difference in the world.

This trip back to Indiana has reinforced and reminded me just how much my family means to me, and that no matter what I will never be judged or condemned for who I am. Also that family is the most important thing outside your-self in this world. Being around family is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself to remind yourself that you are not alone. I know how living away from your family can be a difficult task to manage. So my advice is that if you live in an area with no family and where you are in a position where you are not happy and feel isolated or alone within your environment: That a trip home may be the best thing for you, and to always remember one simple thing that there is and never will be any place like home.