California, typically known for its beaches and beating sun, is the third most visited U.S. state. While that makes it one of the most expensive places to live, the warm weather, natural scenery and public attractions have driven more and more people to the golden state, ranking California as the most populated state in America.

However, California natives often tell a different story of the state – one of fires, earthquakes and one of the highest rates of COVID-19 cases in the country. Over 7,000 fires blazed across California in 2020, burning over 1.4 million acres of land and counting as the Silverado and Blue Ridge fires continue on, with both fires at approximately 88% containment as of the morning of Nov. 1.

California received approximately 4,600 out-of-state students to public colleges in 2016, and out-of-state enrollment has steadily increased for California universities. As Chapman University first-years moved to Orange County for the start of the 2020 fall semester, both across the country and internationally, they were faced with the harsh reality of California’s oft-charred chaparral biome. Many of these students are learning to experience close-range wildfires for the first time in their lives.

Claire Annino, a freshman creative writing major, moved to Southern California from New York City to attend Chapman University. She told The Panther she had never experienced an earthquake or wildfire before coming to California in August; the most intimidating natural disasters Annino went through were snow days and hurricane warnings.

“When I saw there were two fires I was honestly pretty worried because I don’t know how close the fires need to get before we (should) start worrying,” Annino said. “When my East Coast friends started to text me asking if I needed to evacuate, it definitely started to worry me.”

Freshman Ellery Hall, a screenwriting major from Tennessee, told The Panther she was used to  frequent floods and tornado warnings in her home state, which led her to be unprepared for nearby wildfires so soon into her California experience. However, the experience still frightened her.

“When I heard about the fires, I definitely freaked out,” Hall said in an interview Oct. 28. “I am still worried that we are going to have to evacuate … I packed a suitcase and a backpack, and they have remained packed in my living room because I am so nervous.”

O’Neil Rudolph, a freshman communication studies major from Colorado, had sunny expectations when planning for her move, expecting many beach days and enjoyable weather. Although she had prepared for the wildfires, the concerns of her out-of-state family and friends eventually caused her to be alarmed, much like Annino.

“At first, I wasn’t worried at all, because I know it’s so normal here,” Rudolph said. “But …  it did stress me out because I had no idea where I would go if I did have to evacuate.”

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake also hit the Los Angeles area Sept. 19, about 15 miles away from Orange County and less than one month into the start of classes this semester.

“Me and my friend from New York had no idea what was going on (when the earthquake hit),” Annino said. “We were sitting on the couch, and we thought someone was shaking it … My friend and I didn’t know what to do.”

Although the California lifestyle comes as a culture shock to some out-of-state freshmen, Annino claims that the discrepancy between expectation and reality is not enough to ruin her experience on the West Coast.

“I’m a big beach person, and I really like warm weather,” Annino said. “With the fires and earthquakes happening, it’s definitely been a different California than I expected, but it hasn’t negatively impacted my experience. It’s been different, but it’s not bad.”