Wyatt Jewett, Cheyenne River Lakota, is a graduate of Columbia University. He is Ivy Native Council president and an AISES Sequoyah Fellow. Jewett currently works as a research assistant for Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc.

What are some surprising realities of living away from home for the first time?

Although some realities — such as the loneliness that initially comes from missing your support system — are expected, I would say that the surprising realities are that life is expensive, life happens whether you want it to or not, and there is so much good that can come from living away from home. I had to learn a little financial literacy, including personal financial management and budgeting, but that came with experience. Also, life outside school was tough for me in my undergraduate experience with the loss of my mother and my father being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and becoming partially handicapped while I was 1,500 miles away. That was a reality that hit me and although it may be sad to hear, others may face the same or similar challenges. Living away from home also brings some realities that are awesome.

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