A wise philosopher once said, “You get the best of both worlds,” -Hannah Montana (430 B.C.). Attending a college out of state has most definitely granted me “the best of both worlds.” From peaches to beaches, I will always wholeheartedly stand by my decision to move from my small town of Snellville, Georgia to attend college in California. The immense independence, personal growth, and notable life experiences I have acquired by moving out of state have been invaluable. Admittedly, going to school far away from home can be a little scary at times. But I always take solace in knowing that so many out-of-state students are in the same boat, riding out the same waves in this voyage we all call life.
Here are seven experiences you are bound to encounter as an out-of-state student:
1) People stereotype the shit out of you.
If I had a dollar for every time somebody asked me to do a southern accent I could probably afford this out-of-state tuition. I once had a TA whose FIRST words to me were “So like are you craving a lot of sweet tea??”. I’ve learned it’s much more fun to just play along than let it get to me. “Growing up on my farm was just the best. Every morning, after the roosters woke us up, Mom filled my thermos with fresh-squeezed peach sweet tea. I’d strap on my riding boots and ride my horse to school-we drive different kinds of mustangs back home.”
2) Even the common cold has you entirely questioning the worth of your degree.
Coincidentally, my immune system seems to have worsened ever since I got to college. My balanced diet of pizza and alcohol just doesn’t seem to be cutting it I guess. I was lucky enough to get the flu for the first time in my life spring quarter of freshman year. Passed out in the communal dorm shower within the first week and was looking at Georgia Tech Transfer Applications as soon as I regained consciousness. Let’s be real. When you’re sick, you just want your parents. But they’re too far away to drive up and take care of you, so you have to be sick all alone. Thankfully though, (maybe not for all parties involved), we have surpassed the era of limited calling minutes. I’ll be on the phone with my mom asking the most ridiculous questions like, “So like is it okay if I take a Benadryl, Nyquil & cough syrup?” Sounds immature, but we’ve all been there.
3) You’ve got a case of transportation-irritation.
Chances are, if you’re out of state, when it comes to transportation you are also quite out of luck. Not having a car on campus has definitely been a humbling experience to say the least. Sure, there’s always the crowded and unreliable buses. But even something as simple as grocery shopping requires logistical planning. I’ll just stand in front of a jug of orange juice or gallon of milk and stare at it for minutes at a time, debating whether or not I truly have it in me to carry that all the way back from the bus stop to my dorm. And quite honestly, my bruised ego would rather walk than constantly ask my friends for rides. Call it Stockholm Syndrome or whatever you may, but I genuinely enjoy walking everywhere now. My day actually feels incomplete if I don’t hit at least 10000 steps.
4) You actually look forward to notifications from the family group chat.
Never in my life did I imagine my heart rate increasing at a picture of my mom’s new vacuum. Before college, admittedly the family group chat was a nuisance. “Who left the fridge door open?” “Aanya get X, Y, and Z from the grocery store.” Etcetera etcetera. But as they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. Any notification at all from the family group chat, is a piece of home. Whether it be a blurry, way-too close selfie of my mom and my dog, a random Facebook video from my Dad, or my brother’s new
Mexican restaurant of the week, they genuinely help keep me sane.
5) Finding a new- well, everything.
For better or for worse, moving out of state means starting over. A chance to build an entirely new identity. Unfortunately, it also means finding a new hairdresser, doctor, etc. Yelp has become my bible. Yet, despite religiously reading reviews, it has been a never-ending process of trial and error. Mostly error. I am still mourning the loss of my eyebrows from that one salon I tried in September of 2018.
6) English here sounds different??
I’ve lived here for three years now and to this day my friends still tease me for saying bookbag instead of backpack. And let’s not forget, the all-too ridiculed “y’all.” Coming from the South to the West Coast, a culture shock was surely inevitable. As the days go by, little nuances in English continue to pop up here and there. For the most part, I try to play it cool and pretend I know what they mean. Sometimes however, I may play it a little bit too cool. I think it took the entirety of my freshman year to figure out what the hell people meant by “the Bay” and the “Central Valley.” I can (barely) handle the Valley Girl accents, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live with myself if I pick up on the whole “hella” business. Apparently that’s how they talk in ~the bay~.
7) Going home feels like a vacation.
Living in a dorm for months at a time will have you feeling like you are returning home to a five star resort. I swear there is no greater feeling than coming back home to your non-communal shower and non-bunked bed. It feels so wrong stepping into the shower without my shower shoes…yet, so right. Did Dad install turbo jets in here?! No, no Aanya wait. That’s just tangible water pressure. Free laundry? Don’t mind if I do. And what is that tingly sensation on my tastebuds? Is that…seasoning on the chicken? Oh Mom how you spoil me. The dining hall could never. Forget Rome, the only place I’m traveling is home.
