Evans Finds Confidence Far From Home

Being 5,800 miles and seven time zones away from her family and having to navigate a new language and country, University of the Ozarks senior Reed Evans learned a valuable lesson about herself - she was far more capable and independent than she realized.

The general studies major from Spring Branch, Texas, spent the Spring 2026 Semester and part of the summer studying abroad in Florence, Italy, where she discovered a newfound confidence in her ability to adapt, problem-solve and find her way in unfamiliar surroundings.

"Just traveling to Italy and doing this alone was huge for me," Evans said. "Previously I had traveled extensively with my family, but doing it alone was all new to me. Every day I surround myself with my family and close friends, so being so far away from them was difficult for me. Traveling taught me things that I could never have learned in a classroom. I often found myself in situations where I didn't know the language that was being spoken or how to navigate the local transportation. Many times I took the wrong tram before finding the right one. I quickly became more confident in my ability to figure out situations I had never been in."

Learning Italian was another important part of her experience.

"It took a while, but learning even basic words and phrases made me more comfortable interacting with people and helped me appreciate how difficult it can be to communicate in another language," she said. "It was a great feeling about a month in to suddenly realize that I knew my way around the city and picked up some Italian along the way. Being the person who did not always know what was being said or what I was supposed to do was uncomfortable at times, but it taught me patience and adaptability."

Evans especially enjoyed immersing herself in the culture and deep roots of the history-rich city and country.

"Going to school in Florence was very different from my experience at University of the Ozarks," she said. "Instead of learning about history, art, and culture through a textbook or lecture, I was surrounded by it every day. Walking to the city center meant passing buildings and streets that had existed for hundreds of years. I could learn about a piece of artwork in class and then see it in a museum that afternoon. Italy itself became an extension of the classroom. Being able to experience what I was learning firsthand made the material feel much more meaningful and memorable."

One of the biggest lessons Evans learned was to slow down and appreciate her surroundings.

"Living in Italy forced me to slow down and pay attention to things that I normally take for granted," she said. "The pace of everyday life felt different from what I am used to in the United States. Everyone walks everywhere; 80-year-olds are riding bikes and pulling their carts full of groceries up a big hill without breaking a sweat. Meals are actually fuel for your body and full of nutrients."

A meaningful moment for Evans came when she was able to travel to Vienna to view the famous painting, "The Kiss," by Gustav Klimt. A copy of the painting hangs in her parents' home - U of O graduates Ryan '01 and Holly '98 Evans.

"I chose to visit Vienna specifically to see my favorite painting 'The Kiss,' located in the Belvedere Palace," Evans said. "My whole life my Mom had a copy of 'The Kiss' hanging up in our home and being able to see it in person was incredible. The day I visited, I spent so much time with the painting and didn't want to leave it."

Evans said she will forever be grateful to her parents and the University's Dr. Rick and Sherée Niece Endowment Fund for helping her have the study abroad experience.

"The time I spent abroad was by far the best months of my life and I will cherish it forever," she said. "Not a day goes by that I don't think about being able to walk or travel to anywhere I wanted to, eating the most fresh food, and being surrounded by so much art and history. I am most fortunate and grateful to have had my parents who helped provide this experience for me along with receiving the Niece Endowment. Without either, this experience would have not been possible. For anyone contemplating on studying abroad, I would urge them to do it-do it alone, do it scared, do it uncomfortably. You will have no regrets."

Topics: Student Stories