When I first started looking at colleges in high school, I had no idea where I wanted to go. I knew I did not want to be near home nor did I want to go somewhere that reminded me of home. I wanted to be close enough that I could come home if there were a family emergency, but far enough away that people could not come bother me all the time. With that in mind, I decided I wanted to leave the state. I knew I would be paying more than most of the other kids I went to school with, but that did not bother me; I wanted to explore somewhere new.

I decided to go to school in Pennsylvania. I grew up near the beach. I never really saw mountains, and I wanted to know what it was like to be surrounded by cows, farms, and mountains all the time. Pennsylvania seemed like the perfect fit, and it was.

Going away to college was one of the best decisions I ever made. I learned more about myself and a new culture than I would have if I went somewhere closer to home. I learned more about the people more than anything. I learned how their school systems were and different vocabulary they used. I learned how to be more independent because I didn't have a choice. I couldn't just run home every time things got tough.

When I first moved, I was terrified. I knew no one. I didn't even know if people would like me since I was an out-of-state student (I know it sounds ridiculous). In fact, I learned this was the complete opposite. The people I go to school with were just as interested in me as I was about them. We would talk about something and explain how it changed from state to state, and they laughed at me every time I used the word "y'all." I got to try a bunch of things like moon pies (or whoopie pies as they call them). I also learned more about Amish people than I ever thought possible. It always caught me off guard when I saw them on campus or in Walmart, but they always told me it was normal.

Pennsylvania also showed me what a real snow storm looks like. I never saw big snow storms growing up. We always had a few inches every once in a while, but it was never anything extreme. After it snowed, it usually melted pretty quickly. My second semester of college (on my birthday actually), we had a giant blizzard that left us with 36 inches of snow. I was amazed by it because I had never seen so much snow in my entire life. It was awesome, but I hated the cold. I wasn't used to it yet. I also learned what a snow squall was. When I first heard it, I looked at the person like they were stupid, but they explained they were actually pretty common. They're like little snow storms that happen when its super windy. They don't last very long, but they can really lay down some snow.

I learned how to be incredibly independent when I went to college. As I stated before, I did not know anyone when I first moved. I didn't have someone to hold my hand, and I didn't want to call my parents every time I had a problem. I learned how to entertain myself when my friends decided to go home for the weekend. I learned how to deal with stress because, again, I didn't have someone holding my hand. I finally learned who I was when I left home. I was able to make my own decisions since I had a fresh start. I could finally become the person I always wanted to be. I felt free.

Going away to college was one of the best decisions I ever made. In a few years, I'll be leaving and starting my journey in yet another state. I've learned so much in the past two years about myself and the culture that I can't even begin to imagine what I'm going to learn when I start exploring somewhere else.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this decision. I know me being gone for months at a time is hard, but I hope you realize this is what makes me happy. I know the price of tuition isn't great (actually, it's terrible), but I appreciate your support regardless. I wouldn't be here without you all. Thank you again.