Sydney Wynia left her small Minnesota high school behind to join a much larger university in a different state. Now a KU Honors student, she’s found a welcoming community, big-time athletics and opportunities she never imagined.

 

 

Sydney grew up in Lindstrom, Minnesota and didn’t have KU on her radar initially. She thought she’d end up on one of the coasts near mountains or beaches for the active lifestyle she loved. But when she visited KU in April of her senior year the decision became clear. One step on campus and she knew this was where she needed to be.

Coming from a high school graduating class of just 50 students, Sydney wanted an experience completely different from her small high school. She also wanted to build independence and find new opportunities. Two years later she’s thriving in Lawrence, balancing honors courses, leadership roles and friendships that make KU feel like home.

Coming to KU from out of state or from a far corner of Kansas? Read our No Place Like KU series to see how students from all over found their place here. You can read about another Minnesota student, Oscar Sanchez Christensen as well! 
 

Q: Where are you from, and why did you choose KU? 

A: I’m from Lindstrom, Minnesota. I actually had no idea KU existed until a couple of years ago. My mom suggested it because I was mostly looking at schools on the coasts with sand or mountains since I’m a really active person. 

The moment I stepped on KU’s campus I thought, “This is the place I need to be.” The atmosphere was so welcoming, and as a huge sports fan, the chance to go to big basketball and football games was a big draw.

Q: What was it like coming from a small high school to a big university in another state?

A: My high school was tiny. KU has been a complete 180 from that experience. The scariest part was coming to an out-of-state school knowing absolutely no one. Now I get excited to come back to Lawrence after being in Minnesota because I have this massive group of friends. It’s not as scary anymore because I know I have a whole community supporting me here.

Q: How far is KU from home, and how do you travel back?

A: My drive is about seven and a half hours. KU was actually the closest school I looked at. When I was touring, I was flying to all the coastal schools, so those were four- or five-hour flights. Now, if I absolutely need to go home, I can make it in a day. I didn’t have a car my first year, so I found rides with other Minnesota students I met, and it worked perfectly.

Q: What do you love most about living in Lawrence?

A: Definitely the small businesses and how connected everything is to KU. Even if you’re off campus, you still feel the college-town atmosphere. It’s so easy to meet people here because everyone is welcoming and you can find others with similar interests.

Q: What KU tradition should every student experience?

A: A basketball game — hands down. I’m a huge basketball fan. My freshman year we played UNC in the second game of the season. My entire dorm floor entered the lottery for student tickets and we pulled group #1. We ended up in the second row for our very first game. It was packed and the energy was incredible. That experience will probably never be beat.

Q: Where do you like to study or hang out on campus?

A: I really like the center stacks in Watson Library. They’re little cubbies where you can curl up and focus because it’s completely silent. When I lived in the dorms, I also spent a ton of time in the community area. It forced me out of my room and helped me meet people. I don’t think I would have made as many friends if I hadn’t been out there.

Q: What made KU stand out when you were choosing a program?

A: The journalism school’s program in digital marketing, advertising, PR and sports really drew me in. It’s specific to KU and aligns with what I want to do in the future. I also liked how accessible study abroad is. I’m hoping to study in a Spanish-speaking country within the next year.

Q: What unexpected opportunities have you found at KU?

A: Through the Honors Program I applied to work with the United Nations and was accepted into the Millennium Fellowship. Only about 4% of applicants get in. 

My project is revamping a podcast I started in 10th grade about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota — how to conserve and educate people about it. I’ll be meeting every two weeks with international students to discuss our projects.

Q: How did you find your community as an out-of-state student?

A: Mostly through dorm life. My floor was really close and we still hang out even though we live on opposite sides of Lawrence now. I’ve also made friends through my journalism classes, Spanish classes and clubs. I’m on the exec board for the Taylor Swift Society Club and I was part of the KU Common Cause team last year promoting sustainable living.

Q: Three words to describe your KU experience?

A: Impactful, community-driven and awesome. There’s nothing you can’t do here — it’s just super fun.

Q: What do you tell friends back home about KU?

A: KU feels like a really big group of friends. You meet people from everywhere. The campus is large but feels small and navigable, which is huge for someone from a tiny school. KU gives you the opportunity to grow, explore different passions and create your own path. Athletics and other activities just add to that.

Q: Favorite spots in Lawrence or on campus?

A: Wheatfields Bakery — it’s so cute and the food is great, a good place to work and hang out. Watson Library is my go-to study spot. And Nunemaker Center, the Honors building, is also a great place to study and hang out.

Q: What advice would you give to students from Minnesota or other out-of-state areas?

A: Go explore. Don’t hole up in your dorm room. Keep doing things and meeting people. Sit in common spaces and talk to whoever comes in — that’s how I met all my best friends. Also, find people from your state or with similar backgrounds. There are so many Minnesotans here. Once you find people you care about it’s easy to stay connected.

Q: How has KU changed you?

A: KU has shaped me in the best way. Coming from such a small school, it’s been fun to reinvent myself in a new place and explore who I want to be. Now I’m getting opportunities I didn’t have in high school and studying things I’m passionate about.