How to Find Your Home by Cody

How to Find Your Home by Cody - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

Living in Smalltown, U.S.A., has its disadvantages. Lexington, Alabama's church-to-gas-station ratio is 8:1. Our entire power system was once destroyed by a cow that got out of its pasture. My graduating class has 75 students, and less than five of them will go to a college more than 30 minutes away. I am surrounded by a traditional culture that lacks diversity. Lexington is an amazing home, but I am not made for a small town.

I intend to attend the University of Alabama next fall. I am completely expecting a culture shock. One of the largest public universities in the south compared to Little Ole Lexington? The difference will be astounding. It's the best environment the state of Alabama has to offer. That being said, it's still a miniscule fraction of the big world out there. There are simply too many societies outside of the state of Alabama.

As previously stated, I have never felt like Alabama is where I am supposed to spend the rest of my life. I honestly have no idea where this place is, but it's not Alabama. The best way to learn where I am supposed to be is to learn. You learn by exploring other places and environments.

I want to learn as much about every culture I can. A great way to do that is to go to travel. I want to go see what the world has to offer. Studying abroad in other countries will introduce new people and places to me. If I am lucky, I can find my true home while studying abroad.

Thomas Edison's last words were, "It's very beautiful over there." No one has ever learned what "there" is. Although I might not know where Edison is referring to, I hope to find my place over there, and I pray that it is as beautiful as I imagined.