Not even a year ago, I can remember sitting on the top of a bunk bed staring outside at a rainy day and feeling as if I simply was not where I was meant to be. It was a conflicting feeling, one I didn't want to feel, but one that persistently badgered me until I faced it. Although a very risky and scary thing to do, I looked it in the eye and realized that while UW was amazing, it wasn't the place for me. It had every comfort I could desire: living in a luxurious sorority, being only an hour away from my family, being in the same house as my real life big sister, and within walking distance of Ethan. But my situation also lacked componets and challenges of college I had dreamed of and the tugging feeling in my heart compelled me to step out of the confines of my comfort (extremely difficult) and trust that maybe, possibly, my intuition was right.
After a lot of prayer, thought, and list making, I determined that if I was going to go through with transferring that it would have to be at a school that encompassed everything I had ever dreamed of. After looking at basically every school in the country, it came down to one school: Vanderbilt University. It had the competitive dance team my heart broke without last year, the adventure of moving somewhere culturally & geographically different, the academic standards and reputation I wanted to push me, music row & all the songwriting opportunities there, one of the best financial aid programs in the country, a small undergraduate population (6,000), Southern food (ok this wasn't actually on the list but still, sweet tea is amazing), the list went on and on and as it did I applied with uncertainty and hope.
The more I prayed the more I felt more assured that this school that was 2,300 miles from home was undoubtedly the place for me. Nobody really took me seriously or understood why I felt so strongly but I knew in my gut it was where I needed to go. Without even knowing if I was accepted I spent my savings on a plane ticket to Nashville to audition for the Vanderbilt Dance Team. I was so certain my parents would say no that I didn't even ask them if I could first... I just knew that this was something I wanted for myself. Luckily they ended up being excited (or maybe they had to pretend to be since I already spent my money on it haha), but a week before my flight was due for takeoff I got an email saying I was accepted. And that they were paying for almost everything. Needless to say, trusting in God's plan for me and not staying within the confines of my comfort was starting to look like it paid off. After flying in the Nashville I was in love immediately. Unfortunately the night before auditions I got the first migraine I've ever had and it was so painful that I literally thought I would die and did not sleep at all that night. And if any of you know me, you know that me without sleep is like watching the apocalypse unfold before your very eyes. Somehow I pushed past the remnants of the pain and the dizziness from taking probably too much medication and made the team. Flying home, I knew my life had changed. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was on another plane to Nashville. And this time for good. I had imagined the moment of me arriving here, at my dream school, a million times. I would be confident and excited, feeling strong and sure of myself. In reality it was one of the hardest days of my life. I had a complete emotional meltdown when saying goodbye, left a bag at the airport (don't worry- I got it back), and for the first time in my life felt honestly scared. Had I made the right decision? Everything I've ever known and loved... was on the opposite side of the country. I was sacrificing so much to trust in this dream, to trust in God... and I felt so alone. But luckily I didn't have much time to question my decision because Vanderbilt completely stole my heart.
The campus is incredible, unlike anything I've seen. I can't capture the cicadas constantly chirping or seeing fireflies walking home at night, the southern hospitality that greets me everywhere I go, the taste of sweet tea, the feel of humidity or the soft sound of country music floating in the breeze on camera, but know that it's there. And it makes the campus come alive in a way I've never felt at a college. The buildings are either old, impressive and elegant or modern and state of the art new. The people here are the friendliest I've ever met- everyone I cross seems to become another friend, know my story, or offer a hand even when I don't ask. The amount of musical/art/dancing/writing talent here is mindblowing and there is so much student involvement in everything really that it's inspiring.
And not to mention the school itself hugely spoils us which is also a huge plus. They threw all transfer students an extremely classy, fully catered party INSIDE a Parthenon for starters... the food is amazing (Starbucks is a part of my meal plan?! ), the professors are brilliant and the classes so personal and small... I don't even know how to describe this place except to say that everything Vanderbilt puts its name on blows my mind. I have not met a single person who goes here who has anything to say about the school except how much they love it.
And luckily, I'm one of them.I am completely in love with this school, with this city, and with the adventures I've already started to have.
It's going to be a life changing year.
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