Finding a New Home in Florida

Growing up was full of family, friends, and spending time outdoors at my small farmhouse in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Each day was very similar: waking up to my parents telling me it was time to go to school and being driven the winding roads of my neighborhood to a small Quaker school 15 minutes away. I loved every second of it. 

As I was growing up, my family and I visited Miami each December. From there, a new love shaped. Being a fan of the outdoors, the beach and warm weather really spoke to me. Trips were usually 7-14 days, and were always left feeling upset to head back home.

After continuously year after year feeling like I didn't want to leave, I said to myself I want to go to college here. By third grade, I was telling all my friends about the University of Miami and how it was my dream school. My friends would tell me you're so young, why are you thinking about college? It was my way of coping with not being in Florida during the winter months.

The winter months were tough, but spring and summer always made me fall in love with the area again. High school came along, and I decided to continue Quaker education and attend a nearby Quaker school. Once I became a senior, it was finally time to send my application and move to Florida. Right when I was about to apply to the University of Miami, I second-guessed myself: most things seem better when they're not a reality, right? Luckily, I decided to go through with it and months later, I was accepted.

Getting accepted was terrific, but it also came with many head-racing thoughts. I don't like flying. Why did I do this? One thousand miles from home, can I do that? I cannot go home on weekends and will be away from Pennsylvania for four years. Will I be okay with leaving my family and friends? Those questions sat with me for a while. 

Fall 2021 arrived, and my mom dropped me off; I got to campus and thought, wow, what did I get myself into? My mom was encouraging, saying it would be great and you've always wanted to come here. I thought to myself, yes, I did, but only as a thought, not in reality.

Welcome week began, my mom went home, and my new life in Florida started. Sitting in my dorm room thinking what was happening didn't last long as my resident assistant (RA) told everyone to meet the people on the floor. It was a long week full of growing pains, and to be honest, the entire first semester was. Transferring kept coming to my mind, but I decided against it. It took me a little bit to feel at home. 

Today, a senior at the university. I couldn't be happier being in Florida. I love my time at the university, walking around Miami, seeing new places, and meeting new people. I took a road trip in the summer up the west and east coasts of Florida. From Fort Myers to Tampa Bay to Boca Raton to West Palm Beach, I have fallen in love with all of it. Weekends in Key West could not be more enjoyable. I am currently looking for my next path after college and actively looking to stay in Florida as it has brought me so much joy and gives me the freedom to explore the outdoors all year. I hope everyone goes outside their comfort zone and puts their fears behind them so they can experience things they may not otherwise have.