Out-of-State Shockers: Maya Douglas

Photo courtesy of Maya Douglas

My first encounter with Wichita State was at a college fair my school district hosted. I truly did not want to go, but I knew I needed to figure out where I wanted to go sooner rather than later. I just walked around aimlessly and made an entire lap when my dad pointed at their booth. He said, “You should go there. The colors are Batman.” So, I obliged.

My first impressions of WSU were pretty basic with “I’m not sure about Kansas” and “In-state tuition for Dallas” being the standouts. I honestly didn’t think much of the school until I continued my college search weeks later and saw the handouts they gave me. I toured a month later and realized I felt at home here.

I’m very glad I decided to go out of state. Wichita is about five and a half hours from Dallas which is not far from home at all. It’s closer to Texas than half of Texas is to Texas. I get the out-of-state experience while not being too far and paying in-state tuition. It was a no-brainer!

My favorite thing about being out of state is meeting friends from all over the country. At Wichita State especially there are people from all over the country and the world. I have friends from Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, and even Ethiopia. My roommates this semester are all from different states. It’s so interesting hearing the differences in how people grew up, especially the differences in weather. I don’t think I’d have had nearly the same experience if I had stayed in Texas.

Texas has everything (how could it not, it’s huge), so I wanted to use college to branch out and see what other places had to offer. I didn’t want to feel stuck in Texas just because all my roots were there. I think college is a great way to branch out and grow roots in other places which will greatly increase your opportunities when looking for a career.