Justin Walters’ life seemed set in stone when he entered Notre Dame as a promising student-athlete, ready to make his mark on the football field. But fate had different plans. In his first year of studying industrial design, a medical disqualification abruptly ended his athletic career. The sport that had defined him was no longer an option, leaving him adrift and uncertain about his future. However, Justin’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and the impact of international education offered by Notre Dame Global.

A glimpse of Brazil

“Losing football was one of the hardest things I ever experienced,” Justin reflects. “When you're in your sport, you’re really tunnel-visioned. It became my whole personality, and what I thought gave me value as a person. When I lost that, it was one of the hardest experiences of my life.”

After the devastating news of his medical disqualification, Justin faced a daunting question: Who was he without football? Fortunately, before the unexpected end of his football career, Justin had participated in a short study abroad program called “Brazil: A Social Mosaic.” The course, taught by Professor Marcio Bahia, takes place over three weeks and focuses on the social, ethnic, and cultural dynamic of Brazil. Even during this short period, Justin was captivated by Brazil’s vibrant community, rich traditions, and warm hospitality, planting a seed of curiosity and a desire for deeper exploration.

“The first experience in Brazil opened my eyes to the fact that there’s more to the world than the United States,” says Justin. "I compare it to being color blind, and then putting on glasses that allow you to see color for the first time.”

With this memory in his mind, he chose to remain at Notre Dame and explore the world beyond the confines of the football field. His first step was enrolling in Notre Dame’s study abroad program, with his sights set on London.

A turning point

Justin’s semester in London marked the beginning of his transformation. Immersed in the cultural and academic offerings of Notre Dame London, he thrived. Using London as his classroom, his eyes were opened to new perspectives, diverse cultures, and the boundless opportunities that were available to him. The academic environment, combined with the city's rich historical, architectural and cultural offerings, helped Justin start to see himself beyond the role of an athlete.

“When you’re at Notre Dame taking a history class or a cultural class, you learn about it, but you don’t get to really immerse yourself in it,” says Justin. “In Brazil or London, we would learn about something, and then that same day take a trip to go and see exactly what we were learning about.”

A return to Brazil

While London had been enlightening, Justin’s real desire was to go back to the place that had first sparked his interest in different cultures. He returned to Brazil, this time as part of Notre Dame’s Global Professional Experience program, under the guidance of Notre Dame São Paulo's Director, Thaïs Pires. Working with EducationUSA, Justin found himself working with students and teachers in Brazil to inform about educational opportunities open to them in the USA. Seeing how the workplace operates in a different country has furthered his immersion in Brazilian culture, and he even finds time to practice his Portuguese with coworkers.

"Justin's journey exemplifies the transformative power of global education. At Notre Dame São Paulo, we aim to challenge students academically and culturally,” says Thaïs. “Seeing Justin embrace new academic pursuits and find renewed purpose through our community is inspiring, highlighting the impact of immersive global experiences."

Despite his limited Portuguese, the strong sense of community and the warmth of the people made Justin feel at home in a way he hadn’t experienced before. This was particularly poignant for him, as he has struggled with self confidence due to alopecia, a condition he had lived with since childhood which means he has no hair on his body. His time at Notre Dame had always been rewarding, but in Brazil, the strong values of community allowed him to feel valued for who he was, not what he looked like or what he could do on the field.

“Coming to college, football was the thing that gave me my value,” reflects Justin. “Because of this condition I have, I always felt like I didn’t really fit in anywhere.

“I lost my hair in second grade, and I never really got over that. When I went to Brazil the first time, I realized in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter. It felt like people didn’t really care about your skin color, how you look, how old you are. The world is so much bigger than this, and Brazil was able to show me that.

It was a sense of community I’d never felt anywhere else.”

A newfound passion for photography

After losing football, Justin discovered a new skill that he’s continued to develop during his time abroad: photography. Capturing the beauty of the places he visited and the people he met became a form of self-expression. His photos tell stories of resilience, joy, and the diverse cultures he has come to love. This hobby not only enriched his travel experiences but also provided a creative outlet that continues to bring him fulfillment.

Looking ahead

Justin’s journey from the football field to global exploration has changed him. He now understands that his worth extends far beyond athletics. His immersion in different cultures has instilled in him a passion for experiencing more of the world, and he now aspires to work internationally, leveraging his unique background and insights to do good in the world.

“Football was extremely fulfilling in its own way, but my experiences abroad have contributed to who I am as a person more than anything else at Notre Dame,” says Justin. “I have a deeper appreciation of the mission of Notre Dame, to do good in the world.”

For students contemplating travel, Justin’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of international experiences. It underscores the importance of programs that combine academic rigor with the opportunity to explore the world, discover new passions, and help redefine identities in meaningful ways.

Justin Walters’ journey is a reminder that life’s unexpected turns can lead to incredible growth and self-discovery, highlighting the significance of finding our place in the world beyond the familiar.

Originally published by Jo Byrne at saopaulo.nd.edu on October 03, 2024.