Awakened Abroad: Realizations About Life and Myself

Madison Jennings
5 days ago
2 min read

What comes to mind when you hear “study abroad”? Stunning cities, mouthwatering food, and new friendships? That’s exactly what Victoria Dry imagined, too. And while all of that proved true, she quickly discovered that studying abroad offers so much more.

Victoria, a rising senior at the University of Arkansas, joined DIRECT Greece Session 2 thinking it would simply be a fun way to experience Greece. But what she didn’t expect were the powerful, personal realizations and growth that would unfold during her time abroad.

This celebratory summer before her final year of college was full of wonderful beaches, tasteful gyros, and newfound friends. However, these two weeks allowed her to immerse herself into a new cultural environment - where she gained a global perspective on leadership and taught her to navigate unfamiliar challenges with confidence.

While abroad, Victoria faced a deeply personal obstacle that provided initial shock and imbalance. Facing this challenge head-on proved difficult as she was without her routine and familiar support systems. In Greece, she could not fall back on her safety nets.

During a group discussion on overcoming obstacles, Victoria experienced a powerful moment of self-reflection. Realizing she was not defined by her challenges, but by how she faced and resolved them. Finding this confidence in herself, she was able to confront these setbacks in a new context and rely on her inner strength.

When reflecting upon her journey, Victoria stated, "I learned through LeadAbroad that true leadership starts within. By showing up for yourself first, you're better equipped to uplift those around you."

Victoria drew strength from being surrounded by strong, supportive peers whom she had only known for a week. These genuine connections were built on vulnerability, support, and shared growth. Being accompanied by other wonderful students reshaped how she sees herself, helped her envision the life she wants to lead, grounded her view of self-compassion, and gave her the ability to rise while pushing others to do the same.

Instilled with resilience from this realization, she was able to take full advantage of her trip: being completely present, taking on new challenges, and embracing each experience with purpose. Fully able to enjoy the cultural rhythm, she felt a powerful sense of clarity, like she had finally met the version of herself she had been searching for. She will be traveling home with this newfound strength and independence, allowing her to view life through a healthier, more positive lens.

Being abroad was crucial to all of Victoria's realizations. This journey sparked a period of growth where she began to trust herself more, lead with intention and authenticity, and move beyond her comfort zone.