I was nervous about not making new connections or not branching out as much as I might at a college farther away—but I was pleasantly surprised by how easily I was able to separate my high school life from my college life. At Northwestern, I’ve made new connections, gained a sense of independence, and pushed myself outside of my comfort zone in a place that was already familiar. Mia Calsbeek | Orange City, IA | Nursing

When it came time to choose a college, it was really important to me to go somewhere where I could be successful athletically, but also somewhere that was really intentional about faith. Northwestern checked those boxes for me. And now I can’t imagine myself being anywhere but Northwestern. My experience here has been transformational, and I’m confident that I’ll leave here a better person than I came in. Tatum Schmalbeck | Sioux Center, IA | Elementary education

I didn’t want to go too far away to college, and  Northwestern felt right. When I’m on campus, it doesn’t feel like I’m in Orange City—it feels like I’m in a different town. Carter Peterson | Alton, IA | Physical education

You can make college as far or close to home as you want. Every semester looks different! There are some semesters where I barely go home and some where I go home a lot. The amazing community and strong relationships I have at Northwestern make it feel like home when I am on campus. Marissa Pottebaum | Hull, IA | Nursing

I expected college to feel more like high school since several people who attend Northwestern went to high school with me, but it is a whole different world. There are so many new faces on campus, and I’ve met so many amazing people here. But if I need to see a familiar face, I can always find a high school classmate. I also expected the classes to be similar to high school, but everything is much more in-depth and suited to your interests at college. Alice Boggs | Orange City, IA | Psychology + Music

I would encourage anybody to choose Northwestern purely because of what Northwestern’s about. They push you in school, but they’re also going to push you in your faith. They’re going to push you in your academics. They’re going to push you in building relationships and living in community. It’s all part of a college experience that you’re only going to get at one place—Northwestern. And I can say from experience that your life will change here. Caden Kleinwolterink | Boyden, IA | Exercise science

I expected to go home more often than I do. I go home occasionally, but not much more than I would if I went to college farther away from home. Casen Jahn | Sioux Center, IA | Biology-health professions

The best thing about attending college close to home for me is getting to visit family whenever I choose to. I am also able to stay in contact with friends from high school if I want because they live around here too. Aurora Goebel | Orange City, IA | Criminal justice + Psychology

I decided to attend college close to home because Northwestern’s nursing program really stood out to me. Commuting has been a positive experience, allowing me to stay close to my family while also making friends and getting involved on campus. Even without living on campus, I feel myself growing in independence and faith every day. Alexa Campos | Rock Valley, IA | Nursing

The community at Northwestern College is second to none, and our campus has so much to offer. I expected to go home a lot, but now I find it hard wanting to ever leave campus.  Ethan Sandbulte | Rock Valley, IA | Secondary education

When I first chose Northwestern, I worried about being so close to home. I didn’t want to feel stuck in my family’s shadow or miss out on the “whole college experience” of growing and becoming independent. But the exact opposite has been true. I’ve grown so much at NWC—not just academically, but personally and spiritually. The people, the Christian academic environment, and the faith-building opportunities have made this experience better than I ever imagined.  Cate Hummel | Orange City, IA | Elementary education

I love attending college close to home because it keeps me connected with my family and friends while also living my life at college.  Karyss Folkerts | Sheldon, IA | Elementary education

I don’t go home as much as I thought I would. I figured I would be home multiple times a week, but being here feels like home—so it is easy to stay here. When I was looking at colleges, being far away seemed the best way to have independence. But in reality, I have so much independence here even though I am close to home.  Hannah Van Den Berg | Sioux Center, IA | Elementary education

As the daughter of staff members, I grew up around campus—and I couldn’t picture myself anywhere else. When you’re here, you can be as far or as close to home as you want to be.  Anna Hummel | Orange City, IA | Creative industries

It is so nice to know where I am going and to know what the surrounding area offers me. I didn’t have to get acquainted with the area, I know where everything is, and I know what options are available to me. I transferred to Northwestern my sophomore year, and the atmosphere of Orange City and the surrounding towns is so much better than at my previous school. The community aspect of small towns is really special.  Katie TeStroete | Sioux Center, IA | Business-management, marketing and finance

I always wanted to stay close to home, but Northwestern really reaffirmed that. Family is important to me, so I love being close to home.  Cadence Goebel | Orange City, IA | Elementary education

Attending college close to home gives me the safety of being able to see my family often. It also allows me to work at my off-campus job and worship at my home church.  Erin Keizer | Sioux Center, IA | Nursing

It’s good to have a home-cooked meal every once in a while and to know your family is nearby if you need them—but college can be as far away from home as you want, even if it’s actually only a few miles. Kara Van Genderen | Maurice, Iowa | Nursing

The best thing about attending college close to home is having “the best of both worlds.” I’m able to worship in my home church and stay in touch with my high school friends while making new friends at college. Lydia Baker | Hull, IA | Psychology

I chose Northwestern because I saw it as a place that I could thrive spiritually, academically and athletically. I also love that Northwestern is a small campus. I’m from a small town, so it’s just something that really made it feel more like home. Zavyr Metzger | Larchwood, IA | Nursing

I expected to be “stuck” in Orange City, but Northwestern offers several opportunities to explore outside the state—and even the country. Mari Langton | Orange City, IA | Social Work