Walking into the new school, sophomore Austin Spencer felt lost. He had just gotten used to his previous high school back in Virginia, and moving to Texas was a big change for him. As much as he loved the state, a change this big would be hard for him, and he knew it.

Students face challenges when transferring schools from different states or countries. Required curriculum varies from state to state. This causes students to get ahead or get placed in classes designed for students of a lower grade if they have yet to earn all the credits required for their state.

“Being [from] out of state, no one really knows my story,” sophomore Austin Spencer said. “They treat me like I failed, which I am alright with, but they have less respect for [me].”

The doctors recently diagnosed his mother with cancer for the second time, and in an effort to save her life, Spencer and his family moved to Texas to receive better medical care.

“[Moving] has been very stressful and scary, and it’s been terrible on my mother,” Spencer said.

Despite predictions of only having an 18 percent chance to live, Spencer’s mother was cured of her cancer

“She’s better than she was,” Spencer said. “I just do whatever I can to help her. She beat the odds.”

Although there is a variety of possible opinions on moving from state to state, Spencer maintains of a positive outlook. Despite the distresses bringing him to Texas, he has enjoyed the experience.

“I love Texas,” Spencer said. “I wouldn’t leave it if I could. I was born here; this is my home.”