Something to Consider: Location!

I recently traveled home to Massachusetts for my sister's wedding. It was such an amazing weekend, for many reasons--one of them being that I had the opportunity to go home and see my entire family.

This time last year, I was open to traveling somewhere new by myself. I was willing to sacrifice my current location for the opportunity of the perfect program, no matter where it was. Thus, when researching programs, I looked primarily at the program itself and disregarded location. However, location itself is a very important factor to consider when deciding on an internship or a master's degree.

Personally, after many discussions with my family, I knew I had the support at home and the financial stability to plunge just about anywhere across the U.S. However it is not without a hassle. Extra expenses to consider include out of state tuition, cost of transportation while at your new place (i.e. buying a new car or a metro pass), and the cost of flights or gas money when visiting home. Additionally, if you are not staying local, you will have to invest in renting/buying an apartment or house, and on top of that, buying furniture for it!

I think that the biggest benefit to staying local is in-state tuition! Other benefits are the possibility of living at home, maintaining your current residency, and keeping personal belongings. Less money is spent on traveling, and, of course, the non-financial benefits would be staying close to family and friends and having the comfort of a known area.

I am currently very happy with my decision to move as I have found what I believe is the perfect program for my academic and career goals. This is the ultimate reason why I am here, and I do not regret my decision. I do however know many dietetic students that I graduated with that felt differently.  They wanted to stay home to cut down on living expenses, they had professional connections in the area that would advance their career, or because they had a close family member or fiance that they could not leave. 

Consider location when researching programs for your future. First ask yourself:

"Would I be happy in another place further from home?" and then follow that question with:

"Do I have the resources to move away from home right now?"

If you answer "Yes" then this might be the perfect opportunity to explore another area and/or culture of the country. However if you answered "no" to those questions, then take the next couple of years to spend time in a place that you know you will be happy, comfortable, and financially stable in.

If in the unfortunate circumstance that you find yourself in a location that is not your favorite for whatever reason, it is assuring to know that most dietetic internships are 1 year, and most masters programs are two years. All things will come to an end, and you can move again, whether somewhere else or back home, in just a couple short years!

By: Lindsey Pfau