I am Talia Engman. I study marketing as a senior at the University of Tampa. I reflect on how much I have grown since moving here. I approach the end of my college adventure. Many people can relate to this story. It represents a mix of fear, change and conclusively, transformation.
Growing up in a small city in the Chicago suburbs, I found the idea of leaving my cozy, familiar world for a city far from home to be daunting. A completely different universe was felt by Tampa. Being far from my family as well as everything I knew was worried about by me. What if I didn’t fit in among many others? I feel out of place in a new state, with many new faces around.
But something inside me was known to need the leap to be taken. Saying goodbye to the comforts of home and beginning an adventure to a place where no one was known to me was not easy at all. The initial weeks were certainly tough. Homesickness overwhelmed me, causing me to frequently question if I’d made the right decision.
Gradually but steadily, a variety of changes started to take place.
I greatly pushed myself to step out of my comfort zone. I joined a sorority the fall semester of my Freshman year and it was one of the best things I ever did. People with different perspectives were met and everything Tampa had to offer was explored. I truly discovered the wonderful beauty of independence—making important decisions for myself, bravely navigating challenges and joyfully celebrating the small victories along the way.
Tampa slowly started feeling like home for many people. Over the years, countless memories were created there.
Being far from home importantly pushed me to mature in many unexpected ways. I learned to manage my time. I learned to concentrate on responsibilities and advocate for myself. I developed greater self-reliance and confidence. Leaving my safety net helped me uncover many strengths. I found strengths I didn’t know I had.
I found that an important amount of happiness arises from embracing change. The familiar can be left behind with some fear, yet many doors to growth, along with multiple opportunities, can be opened. Without taking that leap of faith, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
Now that I am a senior, I can confidently say that relocating to Tampa was truly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I discovered myself in that place. I built several lifelong friendships along with laying the foundation for my future.
To many others facing the fear of stepping into the unknown: seize the opportunity. At first, it might be scary; however, you won’t discover your true potential until you push past the fear.