As someone who grew up in a college town and decided to stay, moving out of state was a terrifying thought. An internship opportunity forced me to confront this fear, but also introduced feelings of excitement. Leaving my family, my jobs, and my friends behind for something new was scary and new, and both of those feelings remained until I settled in.Â
Growing up, I never thought about moving outside of Texas. Though I do love Texas and could never see myself growing up somewhere else, I knew in high school that I wanted to move out of state for my future. My decision was only reinforced in college, because I had decided to stay in my hometown for college. As I was making plans for summer, I was set on going out of state (or at least out of town) for any internships. As I was applying, I focused on where I wanted to be, which admittedly, was Colorado. And more applications than I can count later, I landed an internship in Northern Colorado.Â
Leading up to the move, all I felt was excitement. I couldn’t wait to be in a new place and be alone for a bit. But the few days before I left, I was terrified. Somehow the fact that I’d be a thousand miles away from my comfort had slipped my mind, but I didn’t let that change my outlook on the experience. The drive was long and stressful at times, but my parents and I made it in one piece. It took me a few days to settle into the house, and my first few days at the internship were nerve-wracking.Â
Over time, I was able to enjoy being on my schedule, and the views in Colorado can’t be beat. Living alone was a great experience, even though it was sometimes lonely. Going at my own pace was nice, and having more time to myself allowed me to relax and discover new hobbies, while not relying on others so much for support or advice. The experience was amazing, and I’ll continue to grow my hobbies and self-reflect.