• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
College Magazine logo

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
    • Find Your College
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
Home » Latest Posts » I Left Alaska for New York City
Life

I Left Alaska for New York City

Facebook Tweet
College Magazine   October 15, 2011

Moving out of your childhood home and shipping off to a new city far, far away is one of the most exciting and perhaps nerve-wracking parts of going to college. Sometimes it’s tough making new friends, adjusting to a different state’s culture and missing hometown friends. However, once you climb the seemingly endless hill of homesickness, the strength that is built and the bonds you make in college will never be broken.

I grew up on an isolated island off the coast of Alaska in a town with one grocery store, one gas station and four square miles of inhabited land.  Before attending Hofstra University in New York, I had never lived in a city with big buildings, let alone the Big Apple.

If you think you are finding it difficult to be miles away from the place you knew so well, just know that I went from a world of hunting and fishing to one of subways and stilettos…and I survived.

I am from Ketchikan, Alaska, the fourth biggest city in one of the country’s least populated states. Although Alaska is almost two and a half times the size of Texas, only about 2 percent of the land is actually inhabited. During my childhood, my hobbies included hiking, boating and avoiding grizzly bear attacks.

After 18 years of living the ultimate small town life, I was itching to get out of Alaska and made the big decision to move to the most populated city in the U.S.: New York City.

Like millions of others who struggle with leaving home for school, the shock of city and college life hit me hard. For the first time in my life I felt shy and completely insecure. I would call my parents and cry to them to let me come home, but they gave me tough love and told me to stick it out.


trending

399

10 Student Organizations Breaking the Mold at Berkeley

179

Top 10 Spots Around Emerson College to Get Inspired

149

Top 10 Ways to Spot a UT Austin Alum


Because I stuck it out at my university despite freshmen year hardships, I have since had amazing opportunities that would be nearly impossible in my hometown. I have interned for Fox News twice – first for the O’Reilly Factor then for America Live with Megyn Kelly – and had a paid internship with ABC News’ World News with Diane Sawyer.

In the end coming to Hofstra was one of the best decisions I ever could have made because the opportunities I’ve had here have been truly amazing. Whether your university is blocks from home or across the country, freshman year can be a hard adjustment for anyone. However, with a little endurance and a lot of self-confidence, the benefits of going to your dream location will outweigh those brief moments of loneliness. 

No matter where I am, Alaska will always be in my heart, but in the end I feel like I am a better and stronger person because I did endure the hard parts of moving far away.  I guess it's like when Frank Sinatra said, "If I can make it here, I'll make it anywhere!"

Photo: bdearth at flickr.com

About College Magazine

College Magazine Staff

What I Wish I Had Known About Mental Health So I Wouldn’t Have to Call Myself a College Dropout

Ant-Man Opens the Doors for Marvel’s New Phase

10 Boba Tea Spots for Houston College Students

10 Ways to Have Fun with Your Friends Indoors

Do You Actually Care, Or Do You Want to Look Like You Do?

unsplash.com

Top Ten Inspirational Quotes from Your Favorite Sports TV Shows

I lived with my three best friends. Here’s how it went.

21 Things to Do in Williamsburg When You’re Under 21

The Beauty and Pain of Living Alone

Previous Post:Elmhurst College Asks, “LGBTQ”?
Next Post:True Life: Freshman Year

colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

College Magazine logo

Copyright © 2023 Powered by BizBudding