Moving halfway across the country for grad school? (SLP)

[Rezzy S.]

Anyone else trying to decide between staying in their home state or moving out of state to a place you don’t know anyone? Has someone made the decision already? 

[cef26]

Have the same issue!! 

[EileenD]

I'm from Virginia and chose to go 7 hours away for undergrad at USC. I am very thankful I made this leap, as I think it helped me grow independently and make all kinds of new friends. I'm now faced with choosing between staying at USC, going back home to UVA, or going even further to GSU in Atlanta. While going closer to home seems nice, as I'm pretty sick of 7 hour car rides every time I want to go home, the possibility of living in Atlanta is very tempting and I know I will okay on my own, even in a bigger city. If you feel like you want to challenge yourself in ways more than academically, I wholeheartedly suggest moving away. Maybe close enough that it's not a complete hassle to get home, but far enough that you can live your life!!

[AlwaysaFalcon]

I totally agree with @EileenD. I myself moved 10 hours away from my home to attend graduate school. I"m not going to lie in the beginning it was hard not knowing anyone and making new friends. I'm so glad I made this decision though. I've grown stronger as a person and am now more independent and also get to explore a new city! Plus I have made so many friends in my program! It's a great supportive group of people. My thought process behind it is it's such a short time and I can always return home after if I decide to go back there for my cfy. For me the program I ended up attending was considerably cheaper than the one program I would've attended 5 hours away..this was also one of my deciding factors too. If you are looking for a little adventure make the leap! I don't think you'll regret it

[speechielover]

def in the same place

[Emily T.]

Even though I am incredibly nervous about moving far away, I have decided to go out of my home state because I value other perspectives in my education. Even though UNR has wonderful faculty, and I've learned so much from them, it is a small program and the only one in Nevada. I want to move away, so I have the opportunity to learn from someone other than the same 7 professors I have had the last four years.

 

I think living and learning in a new place in order grow as a clinician is worth the stress and anxiety of the first couple months after moving.

[Louly]

I moved 5 states away. Best decision thus far! It may depend on the person and their personality. I'm very independent, and I see my move as an opportunity. Even though I am an I introvert, I enjoy making new friends. While a classmate of mine has a hard time being away from her family; she flies home every weekend if possible. This is her first time being away by herself and living on her own. She's also experiencing a bit of a ”culture shock.” It truly depends on how you look at your education, career, and life. Graduate school will leave you feeling empty at times but it's only two years and it doesn't hurt to be away for a short period of time....to grow.

[better-off-bread]

This is me!! I'm between staying in the place I went to undergrad (KU in Lawrence, KS) and moving to Bowling Green, Ohio. KU has offered me more money but Ohio has a really good program...to make matters more complicated, I am in a committed relationship and my SO is not in a position to move with me. I'm exhausted having to make this decision. 

[NYorker]

I did this before and from experience, the first few months are the hardest - after that, the new place becomes like home to you. When I first arrived in a new city, I wanted to leave and go home but it's amazing how a new place can grow on you to the extent that you don't want to leave. Change is hard initially but totally worth it for the goals you are trying to achieve.