Junior Already Plans on Leaving Portland ASAP

Photo by Anna Loy
Cobban laughing 

By Anna Loy

Harry Cobban dreams of leaving Portland. A junior, he dreads school. He is ready to spread his wings and see the world beyond high school.

Cobban is already a well worn traveller, having taken large trips almost every summer and moving internationally twice.

“I was born in England and I lived there for three years; I don’t really remember that. Then I moved to Amsterdam. Amsterdam’s great, I wouldn’t mind moving back there, for a couple years,” said Cobban. “Then I moved here when I was six and America has been pretty good to me. I have been through a lot, made a lot of friends.”

Moving across the world is a big deal. You have to leave friends and family behind, starting completely over. Some kids might resent that they had to move, but Cobban says he isn’t one of them.

“It hasn’t really affected me. Mostly because I lost my accent and I didn’t really live there for that long. I am mostly American now,” Cobban said. He believes the transition wasn’t that hard in part due to how young he was when he moved. He also says that there isn’t much of a difference between British culture and American culture. The most notable culture clash, he says, is that British people can take a joke, where Americans can’t

Cobban has a strong prejudice against school, and all events relating to it.

“I think I am uncomfortable when I’m not doing something I enjoy. Like at school I am uncomfortable. I don’t like how it’s such a pressured environment.” Graduation is an event Cobban say he can’t wait for. He is tired of spending so much time cooped up inside.

Cobban says he stays away from school activities, claiming they don’t suit him. Though he claims to avoid all school sanctioned activities, he plays varsity tennis and is a member of two clubs, SAFER and Walking Around in Nature Club. He enjoys playing tennis, saying,“It is a good outlet for energy.”

When he isn’t in school, Cobban travels with his family.

“You can experience new things and meet new people. Probably like anyone would say, but it is really fun,” he says. After seeing so much of the world, Cobban has decided he wants to move to Australia.

“My favorite place is Australia. It’s super sunny and there’s lots of babes and swimmingand fun vibes, good music.” Even though he thinks about moving to Australia, Cobban’s future remains open.  Until graduation, Cobban only has one goal, which is to “Get out of here, get out of Portland.”