Every student has to say goodbye to their family as they enter college, but some won’t be seeing their parents in the next week or two, or even winter break.
For these students, they enter into a significant change: moving to a different state or country. According to college factual, 24.78% of PLNU students come from outside of California.
The Point spoke with three students — two from different states and one from another country — about how they adapt and what they hope to achieve through this experience.
Candelaria Resano – France and Nicaragua
Born in France, Resano resided in the country for a brief period before shortly moving to Nicaragua. From there, she became the first Nicaraguan surfer to take part in the 2024 summer Olympics. With PLNU having an established surf team and surf culture, she knew this was the school for her.
The Point: How well have you been adjusting to moving far from home?
CR: I have been adjusting well because I love to travel, and this is the perfect opportunity to grow more as a person.
TP: What is the main difference between southern California natives and your hometown people?
CR: Southern California natives are extremely different from French people. People here can appear superficial because they are empaths and want to make everyone happy. While in Europe, we value our happiness first.
TP: As an Olympic surfer, how do the waves compare back home and out at event locations, such as Tahiti, to Point Loma?
CR: Waves in Nicaragua and France, where I was raised, and places like Tahiti have bigger waves requiring much more concentration. While in California, the waves are soothing and sweet.
Jackson Schmidt – Indiana
Schmidt was born and raised in Carmel, Indiana. After visiting other states and cities, including San Diego, he realized this was a place that could help achieve his wrestling goals. San Diego has great wrestling opportunities and several gyms catered toward his mixed martial arts (MMA) goals, he said.
TP: How well have you been adjusting to moving far from home?
JS: I believe myself [to be] an adaptable person. I have wanted to move to a new area since a young age, and I think it is crazy for people to stay in one area their whole life — like completely insane.
One thing I find hard to adjust to is how hot San Diego is and how most buildings have no AC (air conditioning). In general, I love meeting new people, trying new food and the diversity of people here. Different from Indiana, the Midwest, which was the same routine and people — San Diego is a whole melting pot.
TP: What is the main difference between southern California natives and your hometown people?
JS: Well, there are mainly white people in Indiana, while here there are more people of different races. People from California like to let you know that they are from California. They also talk slower here — pronounce their words more.
TP: What do you hope to get out of moving from Indiana to San Diego?
JS: A new life. I hope moving here changes my perception of life and my passion for what life is — figuring myself out and leaving all of the baggage in Indiana. All in all, I moved to San Diego because I am crazy and want to do MMA. I am going fully 100% into my dreams because you can’t put eight eggs into the basket, you have to put all ten.
Aubrey Bechard – Kauai, Hawaii
Born in Montana, Bechard lived in the grassy fields of the mountainous state until she was six years old. After turning six, her family moved to the island of Kauai, where she was raised. After touring PLNU, Bechard committed.
TP: How well have you been adjusting to moving far from home?
AB: Moving from a small island to a big city has been an adjustment. There are so many more activities to do in terms of shopping and sight-seeing. The people here have been very welcoming, and over time, I am finding myself more comfortable here. However, in the beginning, I felt I did not fit in due to cultural differences, and seeing my friends go home for the weekend reminds me of how far my home is and the limited time I have to spend with them this year. Overall, I have been so busy I have not had time to fully process moving such a long way from home.
TP: What is the main difference between southern California natives and your hometown people?
AB: At first, I felt like an outsider here because I did not understand the behaviors and cultural differences. I felt overwhelmed seeing everyone have on Lululemon and all these name brands, which in Kauai is not something people prioritize and instead wear locally-owned clothes.
I also feel a lack of culture, specifically Pacific Islander culture. I do appreciate that the cafeteria tries to incorporate more cultural food for these certain groups, though. The way people greet each other here is different. In Hawaii, we always hug one another at the first meeting, so when I go in to hug people they put their hand out to shake my hand — which is awkward but funny at the same time. I also have not heard anyone speak Pidgin, a form of Hawaiian English, here.
TP: What are some key differences you have noticed about the environment moving from Kauai to San Diego?
AB: Swimming in the ocean here for the first time was a huge shock because of how cold the water was. I was expecting the water to be warmer due to the summer season, but had ended up being the coldest water I had ever swam in — different from Kauai with warm oceans year-round. I had to wear a wetsuit while surfing.
[In terms of the land], there are not many plants [here] compared to back home, where I feel constantly surrounded by nature. But one thing always remains the same: I still get to experience beautiful sunsets and swim in the ocean — even if the water is freezing.
Elly Heskett 
Andrea Wuerth 
Sydney Brammer