(Also posted on Chico State’s blog Exploring the Chico Experience)
If you would have asked me four years ago where I was going to go to college, never in a million years would the words “Chico State” have come out of my mouth. I was bound and determined to get the heck out of California and play soccer for the next four years of my life; and my first year I did exactly that, at Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Fast forward through a year of soccer, living in snow, not so pleasant roommates, and loneliness, and the only place I wanted to be was at Chico State: a place close to my friends and family that I had heard such wonderful things about during my year in Denver.
I’ve learned over the course of my college career that life has a way of playing funny tricks. Sometimes the things that you least expect are the things you will cherish forever. Chico State is one of those things I will cherish forever.
This place has been my home for the past three years. A place where I have developed some amazing friendships, found my calling in journalism, and just plain grew up. It has been a place that has opened up so many doors for me and allowed me to become this so-called adult that I am today.
Let me break it down for you… if I never came to Chico State I would never have…
Studied abroad. Chico State has an amazing study abroad program that sends more than 300 students to 34 different countries annually. I was lucky enough to be able to study abroad in Viterbo, Italy for five months, a place that allowed me to become much more culturally conscious and independent. If I can leave one piece of advice with Chico students, study abroad! Trust me, it’s an experience that won’t come easily again after graduation.
Found journalism. I stumbled upon a journalism class my sophomore year. Long story short, I learned what I needed to do with my career. Chico State’s journalism program is wonderful. Between the teachers, courses, clubs, and so forth, this program has fully prepared me for a career in public relations post-college.
Shopped local. Okay, this one may seem clichéd, but it’s true. There is just something about waking up on a Saturday morning and walking down to the Farmers Market to buy produce, flowers, and knick-knacks. Chico is lucky to have such an amazing market and a community who makes it thrive. I have been to a fair share of markets world-wide, and let me just say, there is really something special about Chico’s local market.
And the list goes on…
As I made my way across that stage on Saturday, I remembered all of the good that Chico offered me. This is my way of saying thank you and goodbye. Thanks for all of the memories and experiences and finally, arrivederci.
jpercy
