New Beginnings: A Summer of Adventure and Friendship in North Carolina

Uwharrie Rock Crawling, NC

I accepted an internship in North Carolina, sight unseen, and moved there for the summer. Had I ever lived anywhere other than one state? Nope. Did I know anyone there? Also, No. Was I excited about the possibilities? Mostly, with a touch of hesitation. Luckily, the company had hired quite a few interns and recent college graduates, so I was (thankfully) not alone in starting anew. Most of these new hires had gone to college in the area, so they knew the best places to go and things to do.

One of the activities they introduced me to was “Rock Crawling.” If you’ve never heard of it, it’s literally taking jeeps into a forest and testing the vehicle’s capabilities by driving up and down big boulders. After a few hours of this, we decided to set up camp. Since I had moved down just for the summer and wasn't exactly an avid outdoorsperson, I didn't have a sleeping bag or tent or anything suitable for this situation. Fortunately, my landlady loaned me a sleeping bag, and since it was a nice night out, a few of us decided to sleep under the stars by the fire.

What I learned from this experience (and many that followed) is that starting from scratch in a new place might be a bit scary, but there are authentic and friendly people everywhere. So, take those chances to grow and build relationships in another city, state, province, or country whenever you have the opportunity. You never know where life will take you.

Bar Stool Talk: Have you ever moved to a new place sight unseen for an internship, job, or other opportunity? Share your story about the challenges and adventures you faced, and how you adapted to your new environment. What did you learn from stepping out of your comfort zone?