A Bigger Life: Kenndall Reidel鈥檚 Semester Abroad
by Kenndall Reidel, 国产探花 Sophomore, Psychology
When people ask me about studying abroad, my first instinct is to say, 鈥淚t was fun.鈥 And it was. It was exciting and unforgettable and full of moments I will carry with me forever. But the truth is, it was so much more than that. Studying abroad completely shifted my perspective and honestly changed the direction I see my life going.
Before leaving home, I did not realize how much I relied on the comfort of the familiar: my routines, my people, my safety net. Being in a different country forced me to step away from everything and everyone I had always known. From the very beginning, that was uncomfortable. Before even arriving in my host country, I remember running through the airport, heart pounding, after realizing I was about to miss my flight.
Another time in Rome, I lost my passport and had to figure out what to do on my own. In those moments there was no one to take over for me. No one to fix it. I had to advocate for myself, ask questions, stay calm, and problem solve.
Those experiences pushed me in ways I did not expect. I have always been more of a go-with-the-flow person. I would let other people make the plans and I would just follow along. But being abroad required me to take initiative. I had to book trains, navigate new cities, communicate despite language barriers, and make decisions for myself. Each small challenge built my confidence. I started trusting myself more. I realized I was capable of handling more than I had ever given myself credit for.
Living in Seville especially changed something in me. Slowing down for long dinners, walking everywhere, and watching how people valued community and balance made me question the pace of life I was used to. Traveling through different parts of Europe opened my eyes to see how much is out there beyond what I had grown comfortable with. I honestly feel like I had been living in a bubble before. Seeing different cultures, lifestyles, and ways of thinking made the world feel both bigger and more connected at the same time.
Studying abroad also made me rethink my priorities and what I want for my future.
Being exposed to so many new ideas and perspectives helped me realize that I want a career that allows me to keep exploring, connecting with people from different backgrounds, and stepping outside my comfort zone. It reminded me that growth does not happen when you stay in the same place. It happens when you take risks, even when they scare you.
So yes, studying abroad was fun. But more than that, it challenged me, strengthened me, and changed me. It pushed me to become more independent and more confident in who I am. It helped me realize that there is so much more to the world than what I had seen before. And most importantly, it showed me that I am capable of creating a life that feels bigger than the one I once imagined for myself.
