BOZEMAN, Mont. — Students at Montana State University are moving back in as classes are set to start on Wednesday, August 26.
Trucks, SUVs and other cars started filling campus parking lots over the weekend, as the students and their families started filling their dorms.
Lindsay Westerman of Cut Bank was helping her daughter, Jaycee Luse, move in.
“The school is amazing, and I'm super proud of her. It'll be tough. She's our oldest, so she's the first one that we're sending. And just. I'm really excited for her because I know she's going to do great and love it here,” Westerman said.
With a bigger school that offers an elementary education program and skiing nearby, Luse said she is looking forward to getting acquainted with Bozeman.
Another student from Arizona says she is excited to be on campus and in a city that offers so much access to ranching and livestock through education and rodeo.
“I want to go to pre-vet to work with like farm animals. So, there's more opportunity for me to work hands on with animals here.”
Ashley McKinley was helping her daughter move in from the San Francisco Bay area, and explained her daughter is planning to study nursing.
“Really excited about nursing. Excited about the new building that you guys have built for nursing. So, she's ready to find her life here,” she said.
Talon, a freshman from Missoula, jokingly referred to himself as a traitor for coming to MSU.
“I kind of just wanted to get out of the city. I’ve heard great things about MSU, I have a couple of buddies that went here last year.”
He said while he is looking forward to starting a new chapter, being on his own in a new city will also take some adjusting.
“I'm actually kind of nervous to be away from home, but at the same time, I'm excited, you know, to be away from the ‘rents. Get out of the house. You know, it's going to be fun,” he said.
Other freshmen moving in from out of state said they are looking forward to learning the Montana way of life.
Classes will start Wednesday, and the Gold Rush game is scheduled for Sept. 5.