Katie Carey

International Studies, Class of 2018

For the six years before I went to college, I had an alternative education that was largely experientially based. I wanted to be able to take my previous experience and implement it at the university level.

At the end of my sophomore year I took this kind of insane, and definitely not recommended, leap of faith. I didn’t sign up for classes or housing for my junior year. I had this hunch that I needed to be doing something else. I applied for this internship in Washington, D.C., and, well, I didn’t get it. It was kind of the first time that I had failed in a big way.

My friend in Mexico reached out to me and said I should go down there. I met with my professors, I met with the provost, everyone. I ended up making a whole semester that was independently designed in Mexico. Instead of using a classroom as a classroom, I got to use Mexico as my classroom. I interviewed political protesters in a town square, I was visiting museums and learning about pre-Hispanic populations, and visiting historical archaeological sites.

I was having all of these incredibly rich experiences and I came out the other side a much more grounded and inspired person. I realized how privileged I was to be able to go to Mexico and all these other places I’ve traveled. My biggest fear is complacency. Anyone can be an agent of change and have the power to create the learning experiences that they want. I learned so much with my experiences in Mexico and I wanted to bring that fire back with me.

Why Heidelberg?

The relationships I have made with my professors have kept me here. They’ve given me so much freedom and encouragement. They’ve really been my biggest cheerleaders.