Although the majority of Iowa State students are from Iowa, many students come from other states to experience what Iowa has to offer, which includes more than just educational opportunities.

One reason Christine Link, senior in zoology from Florida, decided to stay in Iowa was the kindness of people she talked to at ISU.

“I think once people get here, they’re pretty surprised because the people are really nice,” Link said. “They’ll say ‘hi’ to you on the street. If someone did that in my hometown, people would dodge corners because they think they’re going to get shot.”

Link said she thinks people move to Iowa because of its good public school systems and state universities.

After graduation, Link said she plans to stay in Iowa for a while, depending upon her acceptance at graduate schools.

Aside from earning an education, some students choose to start a family while in Iowa.

Tami Haywood, senior in microbiology from Texas, said she moved because her husband’s relatives live in Iowa.

After she graduates, Haywood said she and her husband hope to stay in Iowa to raise their 2-year-old child.

“We actually like the environment,” Haywood said. “The entire state is more family-oriented.”

Robert Sabino, senior in mechanical engineering from Nevada, said Ames’ activities and charm keep people around.

“Ames is an attractive selling point for the young professional age group,” he said. “The university offers a lot for post-college people. I think it’s an attractive spot.”

Sabino said he has not decided if he will stay in Iowa after he graduates.

Despite many attractions and the friendliness of Iowans, some out-of-state students would rather make their stay in Iowa “just an experience,” and leave after they graduate.

Lea Bonebrake, senior in animal ecology from Oregon, said she came to ISU to be on the swim team.

But Bonebrake added that many reasons have influenced her decision to not stay.

“It’s so different from where I grew up,” she said. “It’s a good experience, but it’s too conservative here.”

ISU’s food science department was worth attending the university for one out-of-state student.

But Adrian Devore, senior from New Jersey, said she switched her major to hotel, restaurant and institution management.

“Coming here was a very big adjustment for me,” she said. “There were some good things and some bad.”

Devore said she’ll visit after she graduates, but that she has plans to leave Iowa.

“The reasons are mainly racial, ideological and religious,” Devore said. “There’s also not much here employment-wise for my major.”