I had been looking forward to college since my freshman year of high school, possibly even earlier. It was my chance to leave the confines of my almost 5,000-person hometown.
I planned to go to a school out-of-state and leave Idaho behind, eventually settling on the University of Utah almost 400 miles away. However, the price tag attached to that idea soon caught up to me and I had to rethink my plans.
I decided to transfer back to my native state after my first semester and switched to the University of Idaho in spring 2016.
Having only visited Moscow once, I essentially made the decision blind. The area was beautiful from what I remembered, but I had no idea if I was going to like the actual institution.
It wasn’t Boise State University or 45 minutes from my hometown, so I knew it couldn’t be that bad. And it turned out to be the best decision I could’ve made.
Olivia Heersink | Argonaut
In the beginning, I didn’t quite know what I wanted to study, especially since I had only recently realized I wasn’t going to purse medicine — a plan I had solidified as an 8-year-old.
It took me a bit, but eventually I found journalism near the end of my first year. I had always loved to write — I just didn’t think I could make a career out of it.
After the first week of a media writing course, I was hooked. I later wondered how I ever considered doing anything else. It seemed like I was meant to do this.
My burgeoning passion for journalism led me to the Student Media Office on the Third Floor of the Bruce Pitman Center — a place I’ve remained ever since.
Outside the office, I found another home with my sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma.
It was within my chapter at 805 Elm Street where I found a group of women who pushed me to be my best self, especially academically.
I found immediate support, which made my transition from Salt Lake City, Utah, so much easier.
Although I was a part of these incredible groups, I realized I wanted to do more than what was available on campus. The solution? Studying abroad.
I left for Viterbo, Italy, more than a year ago. The program through the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) worked well with my journalism degree and fulfilled various general education requirements.
But beyond aiding my degree, the trip allowed me to meet the most incredible people and travel to places across the globe. It also made me a better, more culturally aware person — traits I brought home.
Each of these — Student Media, Greek life and studying abroad — have defined my college experience, among other things. They are the best things I’ve done.
While it hasn’t been easy, it’s been worth every hardship to get to where I am today. And I know I’m not the first to make that cliche statement, but it’s so true. Honestly, there isn’t anything I would do differently.
So thank you, UI, for the memories, the friendships and the most expensive piece of paper I will ever have. Here’s to the next chapter.
Olivia Heersink can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @heersinkolivia