This summer I had the opportunity to study abroad in Heidelberg, Germany with the AJY program. One of the most memorable experiences from my time outside the country was visiting Radfeld, Austria, and doing my first ever hike. The city was very rural and beautiful, and from the top of the trail I saw the entire city which was very amazing to see. What made this experience meaningful to me was the chance to live like a true German citizen outside of the classroom.
I stayed with a host family, which pushed me to use German in everyday conversations and not just in assignments or textbooks. Whether I was shopping, ordering food in a restaurant, or making conversation with other locals, I found myself immersed in German culture every single day. Living abroad also changed how I think about what the “normal life” is. I did not think my daily routine would not change much, but I quickly learned that ordinary to me is not always the same for someone in Germany. While there are many similarities, the differences challenged me to adapt and break away from my normal Midwest American life.
I am deeply grateful to the Rudolph family for making this journey possible. As a student-athlete, opportunities like this are hard to pursue, but their generosity helped remove the financial barriers that might have held me back. This experience is one I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I will always be thankful for their support.
