Let’s be real. Most people go away to college to gain their freedom and independence, to get away from their families and everyone who has known them all their lives, and to start fresh in a new place where they meet amazing new people and have the experience of a lifetime! And there’s something so poetic about that type of clean slate. 
This was the idea I had going into my college decision process. I had lived in the Buffalo area my whole life; most of my family and all of my friends lived there, I knew the area, I had my go-to spots, and I rarely had to use my GPS to find anything. So when the college process began, I was a little scared. I knew everyone expected me to go and find my own place in the world, but I was happy where I was. I limited my search to schools in New York State because that’s what I was used to. But from there I had no limits; I looked at a few colleges and universities downstate in the city; I looked at schools in middle-of-nowhere Central New York. I looked pretty much everywhere except the area I was from. I finally decided on a SUNY school about three and a half to four hours away from where I lived. It seemed like the perfect choice for me, so I sent in my deposit and enrolled.
It quickly became clear to me that this wasn’t the place for me, for a number of reasons, and when I began the search process for the second time, I instinctively knew I wanted a school closer to home. I wasn’t really sure why; the distance hadn’t been such a problem for me that first year, but at that point I just felt more confident in defying the idea that you had to go far away to get the “traditional college experience.” One way or another, I ended up at Nazareth.
I found Naz to be the right fit for me for a number of reasons — that’s a story for another day — but knowing that my hometown is just a quick drive down the thruway is a huge comfort that I never anticipated. It took me a while to realize that it’s totally okay to head home for a weekend, or an afternoon if you live close enough. It’s okay to feel a little homesick once in a while, and it’s okay to stay close to home. And there’s a ton of other perks that come with sticking close to home! You can easily drive home for a nice home-cooked meal, a cuddle with your favorite furry friend, or, if you’re like me, you can arrive unannounced with a huge bag full of laundry to do in your own washing machine. Having a washing machine all to myself is one of the comforts of home that I missed the most!
Naz is a fantastic home-away-from-home for both local and not so local students. With a beautiful campus, residential students from anywhere can get that so-called “traditional” college experience. There are tons of ways to get involved whether you live on-campus or off, and there’s always opportunities to meet new people. The people here create a warm, welcoming environment for everyone, so it really is like being at home where people know you and care about you, professors and peers alike.
I’m so glad and grateful that I ended up at Naz, and was able to challenge the ideas I had for myself, that the only way to experience the freedom college brings and the beautiful blank slate was to go far away from home. I found the right fit for me just over an hour away, and that’s okay! I’ve fully immersed myself in campus life and culture, I’m involved in a variety of clubs, organizations, and extracurriculars, and I feel at peace here. But I also know that if I have a bad day, I’m never too far from home!