From Concern to Courage: How One Student Found Confidence in Chile
Published: March 27, 2026
Author: Liz Dowell
Photo by Alex Weatherspoon
Reality hit the moment Evie Johnson ’27 stepped off the plane in Santiago, Chile.
“This is going to be my life for the next five months,” she remembered thinking.
No family. No familiar routines. No easy conversations in English. Just a new country, a new language, and a quiet question echoing beneath the surface: Can I really do this?
For Johnson, a Greenville University student double-majoring in Spanish and Social Work, studying abroad had always been part of her vision for her college experience. She wanted more than classroom learning — she wanted immersion, challenge, and the opportunity to grow through unfamiliar situations.
When her original plan to study in Spain unexpectedly fell through, a different door opened. Chile was not the path she had first imagined, but it quickly became an experience that required initiative, adaptability, and courage.
With support from Greenville University and family connections in Chile, Johnson built her own study abroad experience. She continued GU coursework online while also enrolling in Spanish-language social work classes at a local university in Temuco. Living with a host family completed the full immersion experience, surrounding her with opportunities to learn in everyday moments.
It wasn’t traditional. It was something deeper — an invitation to step fully into growth.
Learning to Navigate the Unknown
From the very first day, Johnson was immersed in Spanish.
“It was Spanish 100%,” she said. “Not classroom Spanish — real Spanish. Fast, slang-filled, the kind of words people use in everyday life.”
Even simple tasks like grocery shopping or asking for directions require intentional effort. Conversations demanded patience, humility, and persistence.
At times, the challenge felt overwhelming. But Johnson quickly realized that growth would require participation.
“If I didn’t talk, no one would get to know me,” she said.
At the local university, she attended social work classes taught entirely in Spanish. While the courses did not count toward graduation credit, they contributed something equally valuable: confidence in navigating unfamiliar academic and cultural environments.
Outside the classroom, Johnson formed friendships with students from around the world. Shared meals and cultural exchange created opportunities to learn from one another’s backgrounds and experiences.
At one international gathering, Johnson decided to make pumpkin pie — a familiar comfort from home that required unexpected creativity.
“There’s no canned pumpkin,” she laughed. “I had to buy the pumpkin, cook it myself, and make the crust from scratch.”
The process reflected much of her semester: unfamiliar steps, unexpected challenges, and the reward of creating something meaningful along the way.
Discovering Strength Through Experience
Beyond academics, Chile’s natural beauty provided space for exploration and reflection. With guidance from her host family, Johnson experienced the country’s diverse landscapes — from mountains and coastlines to ski slopes and hiking trails.
One moment stood out in particular: climbing a volcano.
“I remember seeing it in the distance and thinking, there’s no way we’re climbing that,” she said. “Then four hours later, I was standing at the top.”
Experiences like that became tangible reminders of her growing confidence.
Still, growth did not come without difficulty. There were evenings when homesickness felt heavy and uncertainty lingered. Phone calls home became a steady source of encouragement, while moments of quiet reflection helped her process everything she was learning.
Slowly, what once felt intimidating began to feel possible.
“I realized my confidence was growing,” she said. “I could talk to people. I could enter new situations without feeling as afraid. I didn’t have to stay quiet.”
A Perspective That Lasts
By the end of the semester, Johnson recognized a meaningful shift within herself.
At a farewell dinner, the change was noticeable not only to her but to those who had walked alongside her throughout the experience.
“They said, ‘Your Spanish has improved so much. You talk all the time now,” she said. “At the beginning, I mostly just listened.”
Her world had expanded — not only geographically, but personally. She learned how to navigate unfamiliar systems, communicate across language barriers, and build relationships rooted in curiosity and openness.
Through immersive learning, Johnson developed skills that will shape both her academic journey and her future work in social services. She gained adaptability, empathy, and the confidence to step into new environments with courage.
“This experience showed me who I am,” Johnson said. “It reminded me that I can do hard things.”
For students considering study abroad, her encouragement is honest and hopeful:
“It’s going to feel uncomfortable at times,” she said. “But those moments can shape you in ways you don’t expect.”
Because sometimes, it is these stretching experiences that truly reveal who we are and help us shape our confidence for the future.
As Evie returned home, she carried not just memories but also a newfound self-assurance. Her story is a reminder that courage grows when we dare to embrace the unfamiliar, and that the confidence we gain from these experiences can last a lifetime.
