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| SCOTT GULLEDGE / Scroll |
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| Andrea Early enjoys BYU-Idaho campus where she can feel a connection with students who have the same belief system she does. |
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Andrea Early, a junior from Clinton Township, Mich., began this school year with a much different perspective than she had last year.
She stepped onto the BYU-Idaho campus with a greater appreciation of the opportunities provided here and the price of those opportunities.
Early was baptized and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Dec. 7, 2003, the only member in her family. One month later, she applied to transfer to BYU-I, a school almost 1,800 miles away that she had never seen.
“I was amazed at how different the mindset at this school was,” Early said. “I came from a liberal university with gay and lesbian support groups and open protests on the war. It was amazing to come to a campus that was so quiet and peaceful.”
In April Early went back to her home near Detroit. Not much time elapsed before she began to miss many of the things she had grown accustomed to.
Many BYU-I students return home on their break to lifestyles similar to those they have at school. This is not the case with Early. Living in a non-LDS home in a predominantly non-LDS area has provided her with unique challenges.
“I didn’t really realize until I went home how much I would miss the accessibility of the Church and living with people who are LDS,” Early said.
Early came home to loving parents who didn’t understand many of her gospel commitments. Her ward was located 45 minutes from her home, and she knew very few members.
“Luckily, I made some really good friends this summer, and that helped me a lot,” she said
As fall semester approached, Early faced new realities. Coming to school would again remove her from her family and widen the gap between them.
“The biggest battle I face here is that my family isn’t with me. I can’t share what I’m learning with my parents because they don’t understand,” Early said.
But for Early, the choice is still clear.
“I came to this school because I wanted to learn and progress in my faith and my education in an atmosphere that was better suited for me to do so,” Early said.
So Early continues to learn and progress, hoping that when her family is ready, she will be able to share the gospel with them.
