I feel like I am in a whole different community at Northwestern. I interact with new people and have new experiences that are much different than what I had in high school. It’s not uncommon for me to see people I went to high school with, but it's less common than I thought it would be.  Akeyma Fedders | Orange City, IA | Business administration

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

Growing up Orange City, I always had my mind set on the idea of going to Northwestern. My dad and grandpa attended NWC, so I wanted to experience what they did. And through scholarships, it was my best option financially.  AJ Bomgaars | Orange City, IA | Business-management

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 Muyskens | 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

I am able to be my own person at Northwestern. College has new people and new opportunities, yet I am able to visit home easily when I want to.  Hannah Van Maaren | Sheldon, IA | Public relations

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 | Business-marketing

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

The best things about attending college close to home are that I can go home whenever I want, I am able attend my home church, and I can do my laundry for free!  Breanna Jansma | Ireton, IA | Elementary education

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

The best thing about attending college close to home is making it what you want. You can feel like you’re a true college student and stay on campus a lot, but you can also still be part of your family gatherings and things back home.  Marissa Pottebaum | Hull, IA | Nursing

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

At Northwestern, you build lasting relationships with people and they start to become your home away from home. Lexie Van Kekerix | Rock Valley, IA | Exercise Science

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

I felt like I’d get bored of Orange City, but it feels a whole lot different. We have our own campus where we can hang out and it doesn’t seem like I’m in the same Orange City that I was in high school. Colby Immeker | Orange City, IA | Business-Finance

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