During my junior year of high school, I still remember how excited I was to learn about Northeastern University’s co-op program on my first campus visit. To put it simply, co-ops are essentially extended internships; students often take a semester off from classes to work full-time for four to six months.
Jumping into my first co-op was on my mind before I even set foot on Northeastern’s campus. I pictured myself working in Boston, commuting from my dorm every day while staying involved in school organizations and clubs.
I never could have imagined that my first co-op would take me across the country.
Students often begin their co-op search the semester before they are expected to start. Since I planned to complete a co-op this fall, my search began in the spring. As the spring semester neared its end with no offers in sight, I realized that I needed to expand my horizons geographically. After an intensely stressful process involving more than 140 job applications, I finally received an offer to work in Seattle.
I am an East Coast girl through and through; I grew up in New Jersey and now attend college in Boston. Still, the prospect of exploring a new city excited me. Traveling has always been a love of mine, and I have studied abroad twice since starting at Northeastern.
It has certainly been an adjustment, and part of me is still getting used to my new surroundings. I have noticed that the West Coast has an overall more “chill” vibe, where people take their time and find ways to slow down. On the East Coast, the pace is relentless; everyone is constantly hustling and rushing to arrive at their next destination.
The biggest challenge has been being so far from my friends and family, most of whom live on the East Coast. I often scroll through social media and see posts promoting campus events, wishing I could be there. Needless to say, my friends were not exactly happy campers when I told them I was leaving for the semester. But how lucky am I to have such amazing friends who playfully beg me to come back every day and make leaving so difficult?
Having the opportunity to live in new places, especially as a young adult, has been an incredible experience for which I am eternally grateful. I have resided in four different cities since starting college — Dublin, Ireland; Boston, Massachusetts; Leuven, Belgium; and now Seattle. The downside of moving so often, though, is that there is always a part of each place that you’ll miss. Right now, I miss my friends in Boston and my family in New Jersey. But when I leave Seattle, I know I will miss my colleagues, some of the most fun people I have ever met, and the friends I have made here, whose work ethic is comparable to that of any CEO.
I was lonely when I first moved to Seattle, and meeting new people is a challenge in itself. I used Bumble BFF, which is structured like a dating app but designed to help you find new friends. Though I spent time with some new people, none of those relationships have really lasted. Unexpectedly, I met one of my closest friends here at a networking event, and I think she was the only other person my age in the room. I have also encountered other Northeastern students also on co-op in Seattle through our network connector, who organizes events for us. At work, my colleagues, especially the other co-op student on the team, have become the friendliest faces throughout my week.
Despite the challenges, I would not trade this experience for anything. It has taught me a great deal about independence and given me a glimpse of post-grad life, which has only made me more grateful to return to Boston when my co-op ends. That is what co-op and Northeastern are all about: learning through experience. Without a doubt, these months have truly shaped both my college experience and who I am as a person.