Moving from the normality and comfort that Michigan brought to me from the familiar surroundings, to the vast unknown desert encaged by giant mountains that makes up Arizona changed my life. Surprisingly, for the better, which was the total opposite of what I thought would happen. The 2,000 mile move brought too many unwanted goodbyes that were extremely hard to say. Even though the goodbyes with my loved ones were filled with an ocean of tears, I still wouldn’t change my decision to come here if the opportunity were given to me. Getting used to the major differences that Arizona had, whether it be the change in environment, the small school, or the fact that I left my entire family behind, was very hard at first. 

I never thought some place could be this hot. Without working air conditioning in our van that we drove down here, I was exposed to the blistering heat first hand. It was colder when we had the windows up which was shocking. Either way, I thought I was going to be cooked alive. But eventually we reached our house and everything was getting back to the new normal that I am now used to.

As for the change in going from a huge public school to a small charter school was more different than I thought it would be. I had to get used to learning things the Cambridge way and the uniform. Although this school wasn’t my favorite, I would still choose to be a student here. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t meet the people I call my friends and most importantly my best friend. Without them, I don’t know how I would have been able to stay at this school. I was used to being lost in a sea of people at a public school and having a locker. Not what this school had to offer. But with the friends I made at Imagine Prep, I grew to become comfortable here in the small school.  

The absolute hardest part of moving here was having to leave my entire family behind. All but four of us – including me – stayed in Michigan. Not seeing all of my sisters, my soon to be brother-in-law, or my father everyday was what hurt the most; I am very, very close with my family. I am still not used to this and I don’t think I ever will be. But this new experience was something that I needed to have. I don’t have any regrets about moving across the country. 

After graduation, I plan on going somewhere new, but close to home for college. Maybe somewhere in between Arizona and Michigan. I still haven’t decided where I want to go or what I want to do exactly. Time will help make that decision for me.