News from The Mahurin Honors College

Kassie, a child and family services major with a psychology minor, never pictured herself studying abroad. “I’m very much a homebody and don’t like to travel a lot,” she admits. But everything changed when she saw friends, her roommate, and even her boyfriend’s brother have life-changing experiences overseas. “I thought, if they can do it, I can do it.”

She found a one-month psychology class in the Czech Republic that fit her minor. “I was like, I can go a month – I’ll be fine.” Traveling alone internationally for the first time was intimidating. “The first couple of days were kind of hard… but then I met my roommate and seven other girls on my floor who had all traveled before. I clung to them at first, and now I’m loving it. I go out exploring every day.”

Her class, Psychology of Health and Illness, has been eye-opening. “We focus a lot on mental health and what our body is feeling in different environments. It’s helped me stop and realize what I’m thinking and feeling, and how I can change that.”

Every afternoon, Kassie and her friends explore the city after class. Weekends are for adventures to nearby countries. “Last weekend we took a day trip to Germany, and this week we’re going to Budapest for four days.”

This experience has changed how Kassie sees herself and the world. “I’ve realized there’s so much more to the world than Kentucky. I feel way more confident now.”

Before college, study abroad wasn’t on Kassie’s radar. “I didn’t want to study abroad when I came to WKU. But seeing other people go for it made me realize I could too.” Honors classes and supportive professors built her confidence, and she hopes to stay involved with Global Learning after returning. “I want to help other students who might feel unsure like I did.”

Her advice to anyone thinking about studying abroad is simple but powerful: “Take all the chances you have, because you never know when you’ll get them again. It can be scary at first, but there are so many people to help you through it.”

Kassie’s story is proof that you don’t have to be the adventurous type to go abroad – you just have to be open to growth. “I definitely want to travel back to Europe in the future. This experience has shown me I can do so much more than I thought.”

Thinking about study abroad? Take Kassie’s advice: if she can do it, you can too. Visit WKU Global to explore your options today.