In this episode of the Unit3d Podcast, PhD student Hallie Enderle connects with Indiana Volleyball alumna Candela Alonso Corcelles, now competing professionally with the Grand Rapids Rise, to explore her journey as an international student-athlete to professional competitor. From making the courageous decision to leave Spain for college volleyball in the United States at just 19-years-old, to becoming the winningest Hoosier in program history, Candela reflects on what it truly means to be yourself, grow, and find a sense of belonging a world away.
Together, they dive into the real story behind that journey: cultural adjustment, homesickness, and mental health from an international lens. They discuss choosing to stay all four years in the transfer portal era and navigating the transition to professional volleyball. This conversation is about more than wins; it’s about building a second home, embracing identity across cultures, and discovering who you are along the way.
