As the spring semester began at Pepperdine, many students returned from their homes in preparation for classes to begin. Most come from other cities and states, but some students return from other countries and continents.
Returning to school from home can be a tough transition for many students after more than three weeks without class. Students reminisce about home-cooked meals, walkable cities and family holiday festivities, and they said these are the qualities of home they miss the most.
Local Commute
Many students love the place they grew up, especially Abby Wachter, junior and San Diego native.
“I go home often,” Wachter said. “I feel like I can’t stay away from my hometown for more than a couple weeks.”
Wachter loves her hometown for its laid-back culture, tasty food and walkability. She’s from Encinitas, which she said has a small-town feel.
“My favorite thing is that you can pretty much walk anywhere, and anywhere you walk, if you’re in Encinitas, is just right next to the beach,” Wachter said. “You can walk from the top of the city to the bottom of the city in a day.”
Attending a college further from home was Wachter’s original plan. She wanted to gain new experiences outside San Diego, she said. Ultimately, she chose Pepperdine because it was far enough from home, but it still captured the same vibe as her home, Encinitas.
Sunday tradition in Wachter’s family typically involves attending church at an old converted movie theatre now called Light Church, which hosts a local Sunday service with many families and young adults, she said. After church, Wachter loves to head to one of the many coffee shops in the area to catch up with friends and family.
Wachter views her home as an oasis from Pepperdine, she said. In Malibu, Wachter said she finds herself getting caught up in schoolwork and becoming stressed, so leaving for winter break was just one of the many times she’d driven the short commute home during the semester.
“I feel like it’s a perfect balance because it’s not like I come home every day after class, but if I want to come home for a weekend, it’s not a struggle,” Wachter said.
Within the States
For some students, like Hannah Allen, junior and Florida native, returning home for the holidays involves cross-country travel.
While she cannot travel home as often as many California-based students, Allen makes sure to visit when she can. She said she loves Florida and could see herself moving back there one day.
“I’m a proud Floridian, and I’m proud I’m from there,” Allen said.
Despite the long travel day, Allen has curated a routine that makes coming home simple. She also said there is a lot to look forward to in going home.
Allen said her favorite tradition at home is going to Celebration, Florida, a community created and previously owned by Disney, according to Florida Back Roads Travel. Around the holidays, the town has fake snow, horse carriages, ice skating and other Christmas festivities.
“Even though it’s far, I make sure to go home for the long breaks,” Allen said. “It [traveling home] is always worth it to me.”
Allen said she loves traveling back to Florida to see her friends and family but enjoys Malibu equally as much because of her friends and the Pepperdine community.
International Home
The people make the place feel like home for Rin Takahashi, a senior and international student from Tokyo, Japan. “Home” is not just about the location but her family and friends too.
Unlike last winter break, Takahashi said this year she was fortunate enough to return to Tokyo. While she loves her home, she is not able to return as often as many students because of the planning it takes to coordinate a 12-hour flight back.
When she is at home, Takahashi said she enjoys many of her favorite meals, including Teishoku, a traditional Japanese dish.
“My favorite food is sushi,” Takahashi said. “I also have been loving traditional Japanese meals where you get a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup and some sort of protein. Usually, my mom would make that for breakfast. It’s called Teishoku.”
After arriving home, Takahashi said she immediately enjoys a family meal. Her family typically has separate plans during the day but loves to return home for dinners together.
Takahashi favors a more urban environment, and Tokyo gives her that, she said. She is able to walk around the city or take public transportation when needed.
After Takahashi graduates this spring, she said she plans to return to Japan for work before starting grad school in Europe.
“I grew up in Singapore and Tokyo, two places that are very urbanized,” Takahashi said. “It made me realize how much I miss those environments.”
While she adores her time in beautiful, sunny Malibu, Takahashi said she is excited to return to the place she calls home.
___________________
Follow the Graphic on X: @PeppGraphic
Email Kylie Kowalski: kylie.kowalski@pepperdine.edu
