Ball State students go the distance for an education

Students travel at least 500 miles to Muncie

Freshman Brayana Jeannet traveled 3,695 miles from Fairbanks, Alaska to come to Ball State. She left to study music, specializing in harp performance. Coming from a small, quiet town to Muncie was a surprise for Jeannet.

"I miss being able to drive out in the ‘boonies' of the great Alaskan outdoors and do my own thing," said Jeannet. "I can always find a new adventure outside. Because of the more urban setting in Muncie, I have to find alternative activities to do, like going to the movies or the mall."

From Alaska to Florida, New Jersey to Texas, some students have traveled the distance to attend Ball State. Scholarships and top-notch programs were among the common reasons that these select students came such a long way.

"There are a lot of people who stay in state," Andrea Redmount, a history and theater major from Scotch Plains, N.J., said. "They miss out on getting to see a new and interesting culture and its differences. That is one of the advantages of going out of state for school."

Freshman Alyssa Villablanca, a telecommunications major from Renton, Wash., came across Ball State when searching for schools that had her major. She found the tuition to be a more reasonable price compared to other schools she considered.

"I did not want to stay in Washington," Villablanca said. "I have always been really good about being alone, and I could handle the homesickness. I believe there is beauty everywhere. There is even something here in Muncie to appreciate."

The Culture Shock

Coming from an urban city to a town like Muncie can be difficult for some students.

"My hometown is about 45 minutes from New York City and two hours from the Jersey shore," Redmount said. "I live in a big metropolitan area, and it has been challenging at times to adjust to the rural lifestyle. It is a major culture shock, but I wanted to get away and try something new."

One thing that was hard for freshman international business major Rafael Acosta to adjust to was the activities on and off campus. In his hometown of Miami, Fla., the urban setting provided more ethnic diversity and the atmosphere was more chaotic, which Acosta misses.

Freshman Kyle Williams, a musical theater major from Stockbridge, Ga., said he feels the same way about leaving his hometown.

"I live fifteen minutes from Atlanta... It is a fast and aggressive place, but the people are not as nice there as they are in Muncie. Muncie is very quiet and has less to do, but everyone is very kind and conversational."

Sacrifices of Leaving

Some college students make sacrifices to get to the next phase of their lives, and many out-of-state students are no exception.

"I left a lot behind back home to make my own way, but I am glad that I am here," freshman Daniel Kelly, a telecommunications major from Mooresville, N.C., said. "There are lots of good things for me here. I am making connections with people outside of Mooresville. I have no regrets in my choice."

After leaving the comforts of home, each student experienced their first weeks at Ball State differently, including Sean Ratkus, an actuarial science major from Zelienople, Pa.

"For the first few weeks, it felt like I was at summer camp," Ratkus said. "Eventually, the homesickness will hit me, but I am just looking for some space from home to recreate myself and focus on new interests."

Adjusting To The New

Different time zones, new people and new cuisines called for an adjustment by some students.

Redmount's new friends help her adjust by compromising on such things as meals, since she is used to eating at later times.

Kelly feels that the Hoosier lifestyle has not been too hard to adjust to. "It seems sort of similar to home," Kelly said. "Everyone is very welcoming and have positive attitudes, like they are glad to be here in Indiana."

Adjusting was not difficult for Kristen Ernstberger, an English major and political science minor from Houston, Texas, because of her familiarity with her family in Indiana.

"My dad and his side of the family lives in Indiana, so I am still close to family," said Ernstberger. "My cousin is also a freshman at Ball State, so I am not very homesick. I do, however, miss my mom, stepdad and younger siblings."

For Jeannet, however, it has been difficult to adjust to the Hoosier lifestyle. In addition to a four-hour time difference, Jeannet said she was a little shocked by her newfound independence.

"I came to school early as part of the accelerated programs," Jeannet said. "I could not talk to my parents for the first two weeks I was here because they were out of cell phone range while traveling in Alaska. I had to find my own way, and I think that actually really helped me get used to everything."

Advantages Of Being Away

Acosta said he was also surprised by the way people treated him when they met him.

"The people here are much more friendly here than in Miami," said Acosta. "The prices items here are cheaper, the driving is better and the weather is much nicer. There is a lot more nature and room here, especially in-between houses, unlike Miami."

Bubble tea, Thai food, the weather and the landscape are just some of the things Villablanca misses about Washington. She also misses the huge amount of diversity and the different cultures back home. However, there are some things that Villablanca likes about Indiana more than Washington.

"It is easier for me to give trust to people in Indiana," said Villablanca. "Everyone down here is so nice and easy to get along with. They are so welcoming and it is a lot easier to make friends. Back in Washington, it is rare to have a conversation with a complete stranger."

Going Home

While Redmount does not have to worry about frequent visits from her parents, she is faced with the disadvantage of not being able to go home when she wants or during short holidays or three-day weekends.

Ratkus said that is it difficult for him to go home for shorter periods of time as well.

"It is not really worth it to go home on short breaks," Ratkus said. "With the traveling back and forth, I would have about one whole day at home. I decided to stay here over Labor Day weekend. My core group of friends kindly invited me with to go home with them."

At the end of the day, each of these students are at least 500 miles from home. Being so far away from home has made Jeannet appreciate the time and values she shares with her family. Every time she calls home, Jeannet is excited to hear about the little things happening at home that she used to take for granted.

 


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