WRITTEN BY JACK MORRISON
A few months ago,I decided to attend the University of New England. It wasn’t an easy decision. In fact, it was difficult and came down to the wire.
Before choosing UNE, I was seriously considering St. Michael’s College in Vermont, about six hours from home. There was just one problem: when I toured the campus with my parents, it didn’t feel like home. When I stepped back and tried to figure out why, the answer became clear. Maine is the only place I have ever called home.
I can already imagine some readers diagnosing my problem: “This kid just needs to get out of his comfort zone and see the world.”
I understand why it might sound like I’m afraid to leave, but I’m actually no stranger to traveling. I’ve been fortunate to grow up in an adventurous family. In 18 years, I’ve visited nearly half of the United States and several other countries. Still, there’s something about the Maine air that always draws me back.
Over the summer, I spent some time trying to understand why I’m such a homebody. Part of the answer came while I was attending a leadership symposium in July. A fellow participant said something that struck a chord.
“I think a lot of people take living in Maine for granted,” they said. “So many people come here to vacation, but we get to live here.”
Bingo. There’s a reason “Vacationland” appears on Maine license plates. It’s easy to forget just how beautiful the state is. Summer feels idyllic, and while the winters are long and cold, I’ve always seen them as a kind of winter wonderland. That’s the beauty I saw at UNE, and it’s what set the school apart from the others I considered.
For those unfamiliar with the Biddeford campus, it sits on a bay about 10 miles from Old Orchard Beach. The campus includes beaches, scenic trails, and a 363-acre forest. It is also a center for innovation in medicine, health sciences, and research. I knew I wouldn’t find that exact combination anywhere else.
Now, trust me, I realize this is a lot of confidence from someone who hasn’t attended his first college class yet. Like everyone else, I have concerns about the transition. I know there will be an adjustment period. The difference is that there’s nowhere else I’d rather make that adjustment because the people I love aren’t too far away.
Recently, I traveled to the Big Apple—and not the gas station. New York City was a completely new experience for me. For a place many consider the greatest city in the world, I found myself a little disappointed. The crowds were overwhelming, and there were simply too many people to take in. Almost from the moment I arrived, I found myself longing for that fresh Maine air.
When I finally returned home, even the people felt like a breath of fresh air.
Dorothy says it best in The Wizard of Oz: “There’s no place like home.”