Home away from home

Virginia Tech became the home away from home I didn’t know I needed after high school. Coming to Blacksburg meant being far from my family and not knowing anyone, which was intimidating at first. The welcoming people, supportive professors, and driven students created a place that felt warm and genuine to be in. From early on, it became clear that this was somewhere I wanted to be, not just for the school year, but year-round.

My freshman year was challenging. I struggled to find my people and had a hard time putting myself out there. During my sophomore year, I made the decision to rush (seek a sorority to join), and from that moment on, everything changed. Blacksburg truly began to feel like home. I met my best friends. Those people I now can’t imagine my life without. Through my Panhellenic sorority, I also rediscovered my love for giving back, especially within the New River Valley, something I had deeply missed since high school. 

After switching my major and joining Kappa, I found even more reasons to love Virginia Tech. My journalism major introduced me to professors who not only challenged me academically but guided and supported me throughout my college journey. They taught me skills that extend far beyond the classroom and helped shape my confidence as a student and future journalist. I entered college determined to graduate early and rush through life, as I always had. But being here taught me the value of being present and enjoying where you are. These past three years have been the best of my life because I chose not to rush them.

During my junior year, I decided to join a service sorority to find another outlet for giving back. Through Omega Phi Alpha, I met even more inspiring women and gained opportunities to serve not just Blacksburg, but communities across the nation and the world. Virginia Tech is filled with people who genuinely care about making a difference, and I am incredibly grateful to be part of a place where compassion and service are so deeply valued. 

Every job I’ve held, every class I’ve taken, and every club or organization I’ve joined has contributed to the person I’ve grown into since arriving here. Three years later, Blacksburg is no longer just where I go to school; it is truly home. As I look ahead to my final year at Virginia Tech, I feel nothing but gratitude for the experiences, friendships, and growth that have shaped my college journey and who I am.