» Expanding Horizons
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Thompson
Conn “One of the most memorable moments I had was celebrating my birthday,” Conn shared. “A lot of my friends—some of whom were also studying abroad—along with some of my Korean friends, came out to celebrate. It was a great night.” But the most impactful part of his trip wasn’t the celebrations—it was the confidence he gained along the way. “Studying abroad made me realize that I can do whatever I set my mind to,” Conn said. “I had help, but mostly, it was something I did on my own. It really showed me I’m capable of things I didn’t think I could do.” This newfound confidence will serve Conn well as he finishes his journey at UIndy and continues to cross other countries off his travel bucket list.
Castelly
In the summer of 2024, Thompson studied at the International College of Seville, where she was fully immersed in the Spanish language and culture. “Studying abroad gave me an opportunity to immerse myself in the language in a way that complemented what I had learned in the classroom,” Thompson said. “It was amazing to have a host family constantly speaking Spanish. They were really encouraging and even helped with my homework. It’s such a great way to learn a language.” Thompson returned to UIndy with a completed Spanish minor and a reignited passion for travel. She connected with Spain on such a deep level that she hopes to live there one day.
“Having that extra financial cushion— especially in a country with a higher exchange rate—was tremendously helpful.” One of the biggest factors in her decision to stay was the sense of community she found. Castelly attended events like Thanksgiving dinner with the Austro-American Society, where she connected with other American students studying abroad, as well as ambassadors and community leaders. “Some of my favorite experiences have been the events I’ve attended through the college,” Castelly recalled. “I would not have had the same opportunities in Indianapolis.” Castelly will return to UIndy for one final semester before graduating in December. After graduation, she already has plans to travel abroad again—this time as part of a fellowship program in London.
The Makartsteg Bridge, also known as Love Lock Bridge, in Salzburg, Austria
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MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025
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