I never imagined myself going to one of the closest universities to my childhood home. Up until my sophomore year of high school, I was 100 percent sure I was going to a college across the country. I told my parents to appreciate me while they could, because as soon as I graduate, I will be gone. I couldn’t stand the idea of having one season per year for the rest of my life and couldn’t wait to escape my parents and my small town. By my junior year, I had settled on going to school somewhere between two and eight hours away -- close enough to be in-state and drive home if necessary, but far enough to feel like I left. Now, two years later, here I am, a 35-minute drive from home, in the same area code. I DEFINITELY didn't see that coming.

Before school started, I was nervous about staying close by. All my friends would be experiencing new weather and restaurants and trends, and here I was, living the same life as always. However, I have found that that’s not true at all. I’m actually learning a lot about what it’s like in different parts of the country and the world because so many of my friends are from other places. Even though I may be native to Los Angeles, my friends come from Texas, Maryland, Turkey, London, New York, Malaysia and more. I don’t feel like I’m experiencing the same thing as I always have, because I get to watch my friends enjoy them for the first time. Seeing them be excited to go out and see the city reminds me how great it is and makes it feel like a whole new place. I never really left my suburb to experience the city, so many of the things we are doing feel new to me because I haven’t done them in so long. And, to be honest, it’s kind of awesome to feel like the “native” by knowing where things are and how long it takes to get there (in LA, that’s pretty important).

And, while I’ve never had a problem with homesickness from going to summer camp my whole life, I feel so lucky to be able to see my parents relatively regularly. Even though I barely go home, I love that I have the opportunity to see my parents on my birthday, or for important family events, or just for lunch when I have a free day. I never realized how much I would miss my parents when I left for school and being able to see them once in a while without having to drive nine hours or get on a plane is so convenient.

Going to school right in my backyard isn't how I expected it to be at all. Four years ago, it would have been my worst nightmare, but I actually consider myself lucky to go to the school where I do. I actually like being familiar with the area, and I never really feel like I’m still home because I’m surrounded by different people from all over the country and the world. But, if I ever miss home, I can just look at the familiar street names and know I’m never very far away.