3,000 Miles and 4 Months Later
- Feb 2, 2018
- 2 min read
The swelling thrums of cicada wings hung above our heads like rain clouds. I shoved the last suitcase in the trunk of my little red hatchback and turned to face my family. Unspoken feelings of eagerness and anxiousness nestled into my chest as I gave everyone a big embrace. How could I be so excited to go yet so sad to leave?
Moving to the West Coast for the Cal Poly dietetic internship was one of the best decisions I made in my life, but also one of the most difficult. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania and grew up amid bare beauties of rustic farm mills and dusty roads. California always seemed like this mysterious land with perfect weather, palm trees, and glamorous celebrities tucked away in the hills of Hollywood. Surely, it couldn’t be on the same planet as Pittsburgh, where I spent my winter months in my undergrad attached to a space heater and electric blanket.
But Pennsylvania and California aren’t that different after all. On the first day of my internship, I already felt a sense of home in a classroom of strangers I never met before. It’s like we were jigsaw pieces—all unique in our own way—that came cohesively together. Before I knew it, I found myself sharing laughs, heart-to-hearts, and adventures with a new set of companions.
From hiking up saffron colored sea bluffs to kicking back and enjoying local tunes downtown, my cohort and I make a point to explore nooks and crannies of San Luis Obispo. Every week, there is something new to be discovered. It seems as if there are endless mountains to climb, wineries to enjoy, and farmers’ markets where we can fill our bags and bellies with sweet oranges, avocados, and practically any other produce imaginable. We’ve shared countless weekends cleansing our soul with fresh air, good food and lengthy conversations (both silly and serious). I’m incredibly thankful for the balance and support my DI group provides.
If I could go back one year ago and give myself words of advice, it wouldn’t be to study more parenteral nutrition or to pick up another shift at the food bank. I would tell myself to not be so fearful of loneliness. Moving away from friends and family is hard, especially when you're 3,000 miles apart. But no matter where you land, there will always be new friendships awaiting you.
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