Manchester University player pushes boundaries during study abroad experience

A five-month constitutional in Ecuador might not appeal to everyone.

Manchester University rising senior women's soccer player Trinity Schelich wanted to push her limits, though. So, with the help of the campus' study abroad program, the Indianapolis, Ind., native took "an opportunity to explore herself" during the second semester of 2013-14.

Schelich departed her home state right after the New Year and didn't return until mid-May. All she had was a Spanish minor to help her communicate and a willingness to see "what else was out there."

"Manchester University is great at letting you take chances to broaden your horizons," she said. "I'd wanted to strengthen my Spanish minor and experience something different."

What followed was, in her words, "an adventure of a lifetime." "I was able to visit a beautiful coast, hike breathtaking mountains, explore the Amazon and see wildlife I'd never have had a chance to see and also meet some wonderful people. It was everything I'd hoped it would be," she said.

"I have so many favorite memories," she added. "From climbing one of the tallest mountains in the world, zip-lining in a forest and even bungee-jumping, or puenting as it's said in the native language, off a bridge over a gorge were awesome. However, my host family is at the top of the list."

Schelich mentioned that a family of four, with two small children, took her in, and she was welcomed with open arms.

"I had so much fun with them," she said with a smile. "I hated to leave them. They did so much for my conversational Spanish which was one of the big reasons I took the trip."

"I'm planning on going back to see them again someday," she added.

She was even able to step on the pitch during her abroad experience. "I made some good friends at the university I was studying at," she said. "We were able to get out and play from time to time."

Schelich advocates for others to try similar possibilities. "There is so much to explore in the world," she said. "I'm glad I gave this opportunity a chance, otherwise I feel like I might have missed something. I hope others take advantage of MU's BCA."