Hi all!
I never truly became comfortable being independent until attending Iowa. A recent job interview asked me about my comfort level with independence, and when answering, I realized how much Iowa has shaped me.
I moved across the country from Arizona at 19 to attend Iowa, and this meant being away from my family for longer than a couple of weeks. I had to take care of myself, manage my schedule, and navigate hard days alone. This has made me stronger mentally for sure.
I studied abroad in Ireland for six weeks, and this meant making travel plans, booking events and flights, cooking, and navigating public transport alone. This made me comfortable living and traveling alone.
Keeping up with rigorous coursework, planning appointments, and social time, all while applying for jobs and internships, has truly helped me prepare for the real world and feel set for success post-graduation. Half the time, I didn’t even think about how much growing I was actually doing until I had the chance to reflect on all that I had done. I’m so grateful I learned my independence in a welcoming college town as a freshman, now ready to explore the world as an almost -22-year-old.
-Solenn
