Notes From ND
 | Author:
Mikayla Kraft, MT43 News Correspondent
MT43 News School Correspondent |
Mikayla Kraft
MT43 News Correspondent
A vast difference between here and home was that I was only ever surrounded by college students. There is the occasional professor or NDSU employee that you will run into, but usually, you only interact with them if you are in a lecture or going to office hours for extra help. I thought it was initially amazing, and don’t get me wrong, it is, but sometimes you just need someone older who has been through it to walk with you through life. This is why I am so thankful for my Fargo family.
I went to a few Ignite Church services over in Moorhead, MN, when I first came to Fargo. Coincidentally, they had a Young Adults Brunch on the day that I went. I stayed for brunch with a few of my friends and saw a podium with a notebook page. The notebook page was for students who wanted connections with a family in the Fargo-Moorhead area. I didn’t think much of it; there weren’t many people who had put their names down, but I knew it wouldn’t be a bad idea to try. I didn’t give it a second thought after I put my name down, but a few months later, I got a text telling me that they picked my name from the list and wanted to meet me. I came over for dinner, and we kicked it off from the start. I don’t know how else to explain it, but it was so easy, and I already felt so close to the family.
Next thing you know, I was welcomed into the Pahl family. Shaun and Kristin have three kids: Silas (11), Penelope (8), and Isaac (6). The kids are the best, and I have learned that they are so talented. They are all highly athletic, just killing it in both basketball and baseball, and they have many other talents, too. The Pahls have a golden retriever named Chloe, a Maine Coone named Walter, and even an Iguana named Izzy. This amazing family has welcomed me with open arms, and I am treated as such. I get to do simple things like go shopping, enjoy meals, spend time with distant family members etc., and just do life with them.
Being away from home has taught me that family is still so important. I miss being able to do the small things with my family, and I need family even when I am away, even if it is not relatives. I never thought having a family away from home was an option, but if you look in the right area, you will find the perfect fit. You can reach out to a local church, reach out to faculty, or see if you have any local college friends who know of a family who would love to do that. Family is always important and will influence the way you grow and mature. If I could recommend anything about what to do when you get to college, I would say to find your version of a Fargo Family.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credit: Mikayla Kraft
Image 1 Caption: Evenings with Shaun and Kristin Pahl
Photo Credit: Mikayla Kraft
