<p>I'm only in 9th grade but I have nightmares about staying here after college. I can't stand this place. I just need to get out and see the world but I have no idea how. My whole family lives in the States but I was born in Canada so I would like to go to school either there, east coast, or a commonwealth country (ideally NZ or Australia) or Europe (Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, or Germany). I'm so sorry for my jib jabbing but I need to get outta here I can't be stuck here! I'm fixing to go insane! I love foreign language and culture and I'm democratic (most people in texas aren't) and I want to be an environmentalist. Just please give me advice if you are a person who left [far from] home. Or even just out of a [big] state.</p>
<p>I’m pretty far from home, choosing to move far from home for college is often one of the best decisions most prospective students make in their childhood / young adult lives. It builds independence, and allows you to develop a broader perspective or social, political issues and experience a different environment. Fast internet and cheap flights make connecting with family and friends at home convenient, so moving away doesn’t mean you lose everything you had at home. </p>
<p>But honestly don’t fret about it now, it’s very common to move far from home for college. At many colleges you’ll find students from half way across the world, and they’ll feel like they’re on a different planet, but most people find a niche and fit in just fine. As a suggestion perhaps you should consider boarding school for your last two years, I can tell you first hand that I had a phenomenal experience at two separate boarding schools each very different from the other.</p>
<p>Canada is not a bad option. I’m almost in the reverse situation as yourself; I was born in the United States, live up here now, and I do wish to go back to the US for college—I have to say, though, Canadian education is not bad at all. If you do want to go to Canada, you might want to check out places like Queen’s, McGill, UBC or UT.</p>
<p>Re: Canada. If you are a Canadian or dual citizen, tuition at Canadian universities is abot $7000 to $8000.</p>
<p>Maybe I’m biased because I’ve lived in Texas my whole life, but I truly thought that I NEEDED to get the eff out of Texas eventually, preferably to Chicago or New York or the perfect academic-stimulating place. However, you will eventually realize that it’s all what you make of it. Yes, Texas is largely conservative. I would know living in a conservative suburb, but guess what? I’ve found just as many liberal friends and environmentally friendly ones.</p>
<p>I’m guessing you’ve never been to Austin because they would meet both your idea of liberalism and environmentalism and UT Austin is smack dab in there and it’s where I’m going. </p>
<p>Would my 13-year-old self look at me in disappointment? Probably. But, you will grow up and realize that there’s worst things than being in a economically-stable state with an awesome culture (at least in Austin). Look for some colleges now outside of Texas, but don’t say the cliche, angst-ridden idea of getting out.</p>
<p>Do you have dual citizenship? </p>
<p>Will your parents pay for wherever you want to go? If so, then great. however, if your parents aren’t going to pay for your education adventure, how will you pay for it?</p>
<p>Oh I know what you mean because I really wanted to get out of TX to (I am, going northeast for college). UT is liberal as wakeup said, also a lot of foriegn influence. My city isn’t very conservative either if you care for UTSA, also UNT has something like the biggest LGBT in TX, and I assume Rice isn’t terribly conservative. If you life in the north east of TX I understand it sucks there more than anywhere else in the state. I’m saying this because you should apply to back up schools and the state schools aren’t so bad and you should apply to a back up you wouldn’t mind going to. I had a friend who didn’t apply to a single college inside the state and her options ended up kinda limited, it worked out for her as she’s going to Agnes Scott but it’s better to have a back up.</p>
<p>It almost seems like you’d rather not be in the US though. So east coast? environmental? um…there’s this new school in NY that teaches only environmental and art but it seems pretty good. Oh, Bates! It’s like incredibly green and has an environmental studies program and it’s in Maine? so far enough? and they have great study abroad! Ooh, no wait, have you checked out Macalester? everyone there is liberal or foreign and environmental is a big issue.</p>
<p>I am just like you! I want to leave Texas so much. I would be ok if I attended Rice or even UT Austin, but other than that I want to leave.</p>
<p>I have to admit that when I read this
“I’m fixing to go insane!”
you couldn’t have sounded more Texan.</p>
<p>Good luck though! And I hope your nightmare doesn’t become a reality.</p>
<p>The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. </p>
<p>It is natural for young and very young people to want to leave “home.” In most cases, being away simply reaffirms that your home town was not as bad as it appeared. The reality is that there are major negatives about everywhere you go, and that once you scratch the surface the romantic inage of another place quickly vanishes. </p>
<p>All in all, Texas IS and will remain one of the very best places to live, raise a family, and allow anyone to find a great balance between government intervention and personal freedom. While many places are going backwards, Texas keeps on getting better. </p>
<p>This said, it IS a good idea to seek new horizons for your college life. I am glad I did go to another state, and one that could not be more different from Texas on many counts. I also know that I would be happy to return in the future. And, by the way, please remember that you learn the most from people who are different from you.</p>
<p>I actually live in a university town. Texas A&M</p>
<p>If you have Canadian citizenship, why not go to school in Canada? It’s a great deal and there are some good schools to choose from.</p>
<p>Also, do check out UT Austin. College Station is not necessarily representative of Texas as a whole and is definitely not representative of Austin.</p>
<p>You don’t need to worry about this now, so do what you can to enjoy high school.</p>
<p>No wonder a liberal person such as yourself wants to leave Texas! My daughter has also ruled out Texas.</p>
<p>UT-Austin is a pretty liberal/moderate campus.</p>
<p>You’re judging Texas by your own area - TAMU - which is rather conservative. The entire state is not homogeneous.</p>
<p>I love austin. If I were to stay in Texas I would go there, but I do want adventure. But in your oppinion… is it better to stay close to home or go all and move out of state, and possibly out of country (far out of this country I might add).</p>
<p>Go to Pacific Northwest. It is the polar opposite of Texas.</p>
<p>Unless money is no object, it’s best to stay in one’s own state. Since Texas is such a big state, you have the advantage of going to another part of Texas and feel like you’re in a totally different area.</p>
<p>The problem with going out of state is that it’s usually very expensive. And, if you go out of the country, you don’t get fed or state aid.</p>