Author - Yael Haddad

There are some decisions that just linger in the art of indecision: What to wear? What to eat? And what song to begin your day with.

Choosing a college is one of those decisions. It's not about simply selecting a place for school; it's about finding a place that feels right for you, a place that provides that particular combination of excitement and calm, that possibility and peace can exist together. 

Moving into your college dorm for the first time is a huge milestone. Extremely thrilling, nerve-racking and, let's face it, a little intimidating. To facilitate the process and assist you in creating a new home, I am writing this for incoming first-year students. 

There’s a certain kind of summer that doesn’t show up on Instagram stories. It lives in quiet moments, on bikes, with lemonade, within the community and during long afternoons that feel unhurried. The sun lingers long past dinnertime and laughter echoes like a mixtape on rewind. I found this in the Quad Cities (QC) where slow living isn’t just an aesthetic, it’s our rhythm.

Being an international student means carrying pieces of home with you wherever you go. It also means knowing when it’s time to let go of comfort and chase something deeper.