Saints Around the World: Cardiff, Wales

Studying abroad in a new country with new friends creates the opportunity to be an all-new you.

Gabriel Philipp '27 wasn't looking to escape Siena; he loves Siena. He loves the community so much, the thought of skipping town for an entire semester caused him to re-think his years-long dream of spending a semester in Europe.

"Last summer, I started having mixed emotions. Siena's study abroad program is one of the reasons I chose Siena in the first place. This was always my plan, but then the FOMO set in. I wasn't sure I wanted to leave campus for a full semester, and I felt guilty being that far from my family."

Friends who studied abroad last year told him it's absolutely worth it, and Philipp's parents told him it would be the best experience of his life. Out of excuses, he debated several options, and settled on Cardiff, Wales. In fact, he's the first Siena student to ever study at Cardiff University.

Right now, he's having the time of his life. But week one?

"It was rough."

Philipp was homesick, lonely, and not in a great headspace. The university was throwing a mixer for its new cohort of international students, and Philipp nearly skipped it. Why show up alone? But at the last minute, he summoned the courage to go. And...

"I met a bunch of people. Next thing I knew, I got added to a group chat. After the party, I went out to a pub with my new friends. Two days later, they invited me to this different party, and I ended up meeting this person who lives right next to me in my dorm. She invited me to hang out with her and her friends, and all of a sudden, we're all planning a trip to London together (below, middle)."

Philipp - the Siena Philipp - didn't go to parties with strangers, and he didn't end up in new group chats and plot spontaneous adventures. But in Wales, he didn't have to be that version of himself.

"Here, I can be a new person. I can be anyone I want to be. I'm trying to be more extroverted, and that's really boosted my confidence. I used to be paralyzed by the fear of, 'What if it doesn't work out?' But now the feeling is, 'Just go for it.' And if it doesn't work? I'll cross that bridge only if I have to."

But it's all been working out. Philipp spent three weeks exploring Europe with his new friends, whom he calls "friends for life." Now back in Cardiff, he sees them almost every day.

"Back home, everyone is so busy in their own world, doing their own stuff. I think we forget to incorporate people into our plans. Here, we make a point of going to the library together or hanging out in the park."

He wants the Wales Phillip to be the everywhere Philipp. It's hard to change, but sometimes all it takes is a fresh start.

"I've changed so much as a person. There are things I used to be super worried about at home, but they don't bother me anymore. When you're surrounded by the same people, it's hard to open up and change yourself and try new things. But now I've done it."

The communications major chose Wales for its media program, and he hopes to leverage this experience, and his Siena degree, into a journalism job in Washington, D.C. next year. Plus, he has plans to travel. His new group of close friends live in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

"I've always wanted to visit New Zealand, and now I've got a reason."