My choice to go to college out of state has forced me to grow in ways I was not prepared for,  but it was the best decision I could have made.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to live in California. When I was 8 years old, I declared to my entire family that I was going to move to California for college.

So when I started my recruiting process to become a collegiate swimmer, California universities were at the top of my list.

Even though it had been my dream forever, when the day came for me to leave the only home I have ever known in Centennial, Colorado, I was terrified. 

The thought of leaving my family and friends overwhelmed me with feelings of uncertainty. 

I was terrified my relationships with my friends would change, that I was done growing up. I wouldn’t have my family near me when I needed them and the worst of all, that something would happen to my sisters while I was gone.

When my worst fear came true, I knew that home was never as far away as I thought. My youngest sister Naia was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma on Dec. 6, 2024. 

Burkitt lymphoma is a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma that grows rapidly, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Within hours of receiving the news I was on a flight to Colorado, with all of my smaller fears about college put in perspective.

I missed the end of my first semester and all of winter swim training to be home with my family, but I was able to start the second semester on time. 

This is where I was forced to grow. I was over 1,300 miles from home during the most uncertain times in my family’s lives.

Instead of focusing on how to navigate dorm life and college classes, I was keeping up with my sister’s chemo treatments and waiting for my next flight home.

Naia was declared cancer-free in April 2025.

Despite freshman year proving to me that my seemingly dramatic fears about college were not so out of reach, there is nothing I would change.

I had to learn how to live without my family. I had to learn to make new friends, navigate new situations and explore a new state on my own. 

Most importantly, I learned that no matter what, my home and family are closer than I think. Even states away, they are always a phone call, plane flight or 19-hour drive away.

I think that all people should get out of their hometown if they are able. It builds character and can open you to new life experiences. 

I have grown so much. Yes, my sister getting sick forced me to grow up faster than I was expecting, but being so far out of my comfort zone was the best thing I could have done for myself.

With my first full year of uninterrupted college almost over, I’m still confident that California was the right choice. 

I learned how to be brave, not just for myself but for my family. 

I learned how to foster new friendships and how to build myself the community I need away from home. 

Through the San José State women’s swimming and diving team, I found myself a family in San José. 

As soon as I joined the team, I was surrounded by 24 girls who had my back no matter what. Some of my teammates have quickly become people I know I’ll cherish for life.

I’ve learned that being out of my comfort zone doesn’t have to be a bad thing and that change doesn’t have to be scary.

I’ve learned to focus on the beauty and good in life, to understand how lucky I am and to be grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, even if I’m far from what I know.