<p>It’s silly. If you can and want to go away, it is still a privilege…however in some cases it may be cheaper than living at home (depends on scholarships etc). It should never be attributed to how mature or immature you are…in fact, going away may often be a reflection of immaturity and the need to break away physically so that you can grow up and break away emotionally. so just don’t listen. The ‘away for college’ experience is not completely unique to America but the dorm lifestyle is not replicated in many countries, nor is the frat/sorority system…</p>