Nearly three years ago to date, I was preparing to board a plane from New York City’s LaGuardia Airport en route to Alaska. Tears streamed down my face as I fumbled my way through airport security and did not let up until I finally took my seat on the plane and accepted my fate.
I was leaving behind friends, family, and a relationship to move to a state 4,000 miles away that I had never visited and had no contacts in. The monumental move wasn’t completely unwarranted, as I had been accepted into the Northern Studies Master’s program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, but at the time it did seem more than a bit foolish.
The fear of failure and loneliness very quickly subsided upon arriving in Fairbanks. If you’ve ever been there, you know that it’s a special place, a place that is always open and accepting of outsiders. I found a home and a new family in Alaska, and haven’t looked back since.
I finished my Master’s this May and flew back to the east coast for what I thought would be a few relaxing weeks visiting family followed by a month of adventures on the road driving back to Anchorage, where I would settle in and look for a job. My plans were turned upside down after meeting a former KNOM volunteer in Anchorage just days before flying east. I had never been to Nome (or any other community off the road system), didn’t have any experience in radio (besides a love for listening to it), and really had no idea what I was getting into. Needless to say, just a few short weeks after hearing about the program I had applied, interviewed, and had been hired as a newsie for KNOM.
As there was no time or need for me to bring a car back to Alaska, I again prepared to board a flight to a place 4,000 miles away from where I grew up. This time around, though, airport security didn’t witness any tears (at least not from me). After boarding the plane bound for Alaska, I recognized the excitement and nervousness that I had felt three years ago, but the fear was nowhere to be found.
As we flew over the mountains and glaciers that greet incoming flights to the 49th state, I knew I was coming home. Despite never having been to Nome, I’ve come to realize that the things I love most about living in Alaska — the people and their generosity, the subsistence lifestyle, and the unmatched and awe-inspiring natural beauty — can be found anywhere you go throughout the state.
I’ve been in Nome for over a month now, and can say for certain that I was right not to fear a new job, a new home, new roommates, and a new life. Alaska never seems to disappoint.
