BigTeamIU: Yeah, it's pretty simple. I win. Google me. Time 44 41 a touchdown wins it snap back to Hilinski drops back has time passes left caught made at the catchment of the 20 yard line more over the 10 runs for the win dives for the pylon touchdown Washington State he's celebrating like he was over the goal line it's a Welcome United! So we have a great episode for you today. I'm here from the Hallowed Hall, Assembly Hall, to give you a sneak preview of some of highlights of the great things coming this episode.

Nina Winsick: Stop!

Hallie Enderle: Hello, Unit3d fam. ⁓ My name is Hallie Enderle I am a fifth PhD student ⁓ here at Indiana University with big team and pairing up ⁓ with our Unit3d family to bring you more. health and athlete content. So today I am joined by someone who has quite literally ⁓ one of the most like impressionable marks on Indiana University volleyball. ⁓ Candela Alonso-Corcelles, ⁓ yes, thank you, ⁓ to Bloomington from Spain as an international student athlete ⁓ with the dream to ⁓ college volleyball and pursue a brand new life for herself in the States ⁓

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Thank That's good. ⁓ in

Hallie Enderle: We got to meet in 2022. Oh my gosh, that was so long ago when I was the director of operations for Indiana University and Candela was a freshman. And so she came at 19 and then left just this last season as the winningest player in Indiana volleyball history, which...

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah.

Hallie Enderle: literally gives me goosebumps to think about. So across every era, every roster, every season, there's no Hoosier that has won more than you, Candela. But I've always been so eager to tell your story because it's so much bigger than the matches that you won. It's about you leaving home at 19. It ⁓ building a second home across an entire ocean. continuing to stay at the same program across four years ⁓ in the midst ⁓ ⁓

Candela Alonso Corcelles: and

Hallie Enderle: culture and it's like navigating language culture, pressure identity, like all these things. now you are your professional career with the Grand Rapids Rise after your technically first career start last night. ⁓ Yes. Okay. And yeah, we'll say the Dallas. Yes. Exhortation. She's the D ball. it up. Okay. ⁓ So

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Mm-hmm. Thanks. Yeah, Technically, yeah, kind of. Yeah, yeah.

Hallie Enderle: Today we're going to dive into the international student athlete experience, mental health from the global lens, and just what it was like for you to become the most winningest Hoosier in program history, and what you want other international student athletes to know So as you know, the Hoosiers are national champions in football, which is very cool. And our guy Curt Cignetti is...

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Hallie Enderle: well known for his I win Google me quote. So to start us off, tell us a little bit about what we would find if we were going to Google you,

Candela Alonso Corcelles: you Probably, you will find something about Volleyball My career of Volleyball, like 11 years I think it is. Probably about Volleyball and my social media honestly, like those two main things and photos of random when I was younger and of my Instagram I guess.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yes. I love the like little baby Candela pictures. are, ⁓ my gosh, they're so good. Okay, so it sounds like it's obviously a lot of volleyball.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Little bit. ⁓

Hallie Enderle: I'm curious about like, we have an idea, at least in Indiana and Bloomington, like who you are and what we think of when we hear your name. Like, I particularly think and anybody who has is listening has been to a match in Wilkinson Hall. They will know that I Want Candy song was revised by our girl and we heard it so much because

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah

Hallie Enderle: She was killing it all the time. but like how would you describe yourself outside of volleyball? ⁓

Candela Alonso Corcelles: ⁓ yeah, I there's something that goes every time that someone asks me this question is like, love enjoying life. And it sounds silly because people are like, I enjoy my life. Well, we said that, but we actually don't do it. So like, I don't know, I feel like I enjoy life. And it's not like I have like this happiness, like happiness is not going to be like, I'm not happy every time. But like I have unhappy things. You need to have unhappy things to feel happy because you need to know what is the bad things to be like, have a balance. I'm not saying I'm not unhappy sometimes, ⁓ but I how to change the mindset. ⁓ And it's like, ⁓ is happening, but I can do something about it? ⁓ No. ⁓ I'm to keep going in the path of, OK, I cannot do anything about it because I cannot control that. So I'm going to be...

Hallie Enderle: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: take this way or like change it in some way. So yeah, I love life. I love hanging out with my friends and family. I love also spending time alone. I love drinking wine. I love it. love it. It's also like something me as a person, it's something that brings me joy and happiness in some way, but it also

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yes, same!

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Because I think about drinking wine, I think about being just sitting down at the rest with my friends. I don't know, it makes me put myself in a situation too. It gives me memories too of good times that I had.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think what comes up for me when you're speaking is even when you first came here at 19 and something that was really impactful, I think it was a conversation we had recently where you talked about the challenges of feeling like yourself when you're crossing over cultures, crossing over language. I remember thinking like, oh my God, I never thought about how hard it might be to express yourself when you are like...

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm

Hallie Enderle: you were trying to articulate yourself in another language and in another culture.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: It's... yeah. That... I feel like that was the most challenging thing I have had in here. Because you try, but not a matter of trying. It's a matter of like, you cannot. Like, the only way is just like spending time in here and like getting enough English so I can yourself and be yourself. And also like, it's a reciprocal super good thing. ⁓ That means like, ⁓ I try my best, like if you are not trying... Because like, you need to try too. but not a of trying. It's a matter of like, you cannot. enough English so I can explain yourself That means ⁓ I can try my best, but like if you are not trying... Because like, you need to try too.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Because if I try to speak myself and I cannot understand, the other person is like, okay, I'm done. That happened to me too. I cannot explain myself, but you are still not helping me to try to explain myself in a good way. So I remember it was my sophomore year when I actually was like, okay, I can be myself. People know who Candela is now because I had more English and people were more open about it. if I try to speak myself and I cannot understand, the other person is like, okay, I'm done.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: But it's also difficult because if people are not open to get to know you, it doesn't matter in which language it is, but especially in another language, it was really tough. So I was like, oh, this is not me. I felt like I was living two separate lives. I was in Spain. I was like another completely different person. was here. I was like, where is this Candela? So I struggle a lot with that, especially because I love just, you know, I think I'm an extrovert person. it was really, I think that's one of the toughest things here.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: I felt like I was living two separate lives. I was in Spain. I was like another completely different person. was here. I was like, where is this Candela?

Hallie Enderle: Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. I'm like, ⁓ my gosh, I can't imagine what it would be like ⁓ when I felt like I couldn't express my love for life or my love for people. Like was something between us. So that was really powerful to understand that. And I hope a lot of people can hear that and help their international student athletes. Yeah. Yeah. ⁓ Because that's what you're talking about is not like you have to do all this work to the language, but I have to be in it with you. And mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Hallie Enderle: I can't imagine what it would be like ⁓ when I felt like I couldn't express my love for life or my love for people. And I hope a lot of people can that and help their international student athletes. not like you have to do all this work to learn the language, but I have to be in it with you.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. that. Yeah. Help that. Exactly. And I know sometimes it's stressful and annoying But it's a matter of like, it's not going to be like that the whole time. It's just like this starting of like helping that person. It's not going to be this that my whole life. Like that person is going to improve, you know, but it needs a little bit of help. ⁓ I need little help. ⁓

Hallie Enderle: and help you be seen. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. And even like, and people that know you are gonna are gonna know this, but even when you were 19 that first year, I never...

Candela Alonso Corcelles: And.

Hallie Enderle: I never got a sense that it was hard for you. You showed up so consistent and so energetic and your freshman year was not like you weren't starting and playing six rotations. Like you were really like battling for a three rotation spot and still like draw so much inspiration from like just who you are as a person. ⁓ But I remember being so impressed with you as a 19 year old. was like she just shows up so consistently ⁓ despite all of these these challenges that we see and then

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. and Thank ⁓ Mm-hmm.

Hallie Enderle: all the challenges that we don't see. So take me back to when you first considered coming to US. What was going through your mind?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah, well, it was crazy. ⁓ I started university in Spain because I was like my comfort zone. Like I was in Spain. I have my friends, my family. there was a point that I was in a class and I was like, I am lost. I don't like this. I don't want to do this. Like, I don't want to study this. I don't like it. What am I doing? Like, what am I doing here? Like, I'm not enjoying. I need another thing, you know? And I was in the car.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: I was like crying in the car. was like, I cannot do this anymore. I was crying in the car and I called one of my friends that she's from UK, but she lived in Spain her whole life. And I was like, I don't know what to do. I'm lost. She studied in the university in the UK. I was like, I don't know what to do. And she was like, maybe like, it would be nice if you try another thing. Like if you don't like this, like. you can go to the US. I don't know. don't remember exactly how this conversation was, but we were talking about it and we were on the phone for like an hour. And it was like, oof, maybe that's an option, if I don't like anything in here, I don't like any of the degrees in here. So I called my mom and I was crying. was like, mom, I can't do this anymore. And it like, maybe, it was like this, maybe a good thing would be go to the US and play volleyball, because I have friends that did that before.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: They were like men friends, it was not girls, but like men, that came to the US to play. And I was like, maybe it's that. It was like a matter of like an hour. I realized, I was like, maybe this is my moment, you know? So I know I called them and my parents were we support you, like, we don't want you to like go off. Like, it's not that we don't want, but like, we are gonna miss you. But like, if you want to do that, just go and do it, you know? Like, they support me 100%.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: So ⁓ was the decision. was like, I ⁓ good. It was like comfort life, but I felt like needed a change. like that unit, like studying there and like being in the class, I was like, this is like the moment that I need to do it. I need to do it. ⁓ after that, my parents were like, you know, we have, ⁓ didn't know that that was going to happen. Like I have never felt like me, ⁓ I'm going to go to the US. Like I've never thought about that in my life. You know, that was like. ⁓ that's so nice, but no, I'm not going to do it. And I did it. And I was like, OK. then suddenly I was in the US. it wasn't much of like months because I came. was like I was really late. I don't know what was that. But it was like so fast. Everything was so fast. But guess it was a perfect timing because I found Indiana.

Hallie Enderle: ⁓ my What were some your ⁓ fears with coming to the US?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Probably because I have never ⁓ left So like not being able to like see my family, see my friends, like just go into a different world and like figure it out. Because like I flew here, I was alone. Of course I was alone because like, you know, like ⁓ my works, you know, they have their own thing. So I flew to the US, like I bought the ticket and then suddenly I was in New York. And I was like, oh my God. And then I need to like the visa and everything. Like I need to go through security and like everything. was like, oh my God. I was like crying in the airport. And I was like, okay, focus. So I like went to the airport. Like everything was like, oh, your visa, peace. And I'm like, I don't want to do anything wrong. And then I had a layover. So I from New York, I went to Indianapolis. And, It was crazy. I was like, scared. ⁓ I don't know what was gonna happen because I didn't visit before. It was like the unknown. probably it was just not knowing anything. It was, okay, I throw you from like Spain and I put you here in Indiana, completely different from Spain and you figure it out. because that's how it goes. So it was like unknown, like the unknown is like, because the English I didn't know, like, you don't know until you are there and you realize that, oh my God, now is the English and now is the culture. But at first it was more of like, leaving all my people at home.

Hallie Enderle: Yeah. you like you did not understand about American college athletics until you were in it?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah, well, ⁓ I always see the movies, know, like the movies and like, ⁓ Americans, like how it works in the movies. ⁓ But something that like was crazy to me is like the amount of help. Well, I went only to Indiana University, so I'm going to speak for Indiana from Indiana University. But the amount of help, especially with like the like being just going to like study in another completely different language, like

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: I had someone helping me with like, okay, you need to like all the English part of like the classes and then the amount of like facilities that you have like, or you have like a what's the name? Academic advisor and then ⁓ all these like people that support volleyball and the facilities you have like, it's just, it's like a dream. Like back in Spain, you don't have that. Like you don't have that at all. Also, whenever you start ⁓ playing volleyball, you are in a club directly. You don't go to university and then you... No, you just start in the club and then you develop in the club. ⁓ But it's the amount of facilities, the food that they give, all these snacks. For me, that was insane. The snacks, just being able to fly in a private ⁓ plane, me, crazy. And the support that you have. That was insane.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Like, I was like, where am I? Am I in like a dream of like, it's like the dream of every athlete I feel. So yeah, that was insane. Everywhere, everywhere snacks and then you travel with all of this stuff and then you have like gym and then your own gym and then you have like a whole like recovery, like the treatment. That's, I was like, this is

Hallie Enderle: Mm There are snacks everywhere. Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: insane. also the facility the school helping you with your studies, because that's another thing that in ⁓ Europe, it's a thing. And here's like, you have an exam, ⁓ we can help it. Most of the professors helping you. ⁓ they are like, ⁓ I remember some professors coming to my games. I'm like, ⁓ my god, ⁓ the support in of the whole. I was gonna say the whole community is insane. For me, that's like the thing that whenever I think about athletics, This is amazing. I've seen every single step. I've not winning a lot and struggling to getting better. It was at the same time that I was growing. We were growing as a team, but I was growing as a person because I was developing as a person till now. But it's just been so nice. The journey has been amazing.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Oh my gosh. I'm so glad to hear that you are like feeling that at least in Indiana, you felt so well supported because something I think a lot about like leaving home at 17, 18, 19 is already like so hard, but doing it to go across an ocean and across language and across culture is something else entirely.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Hallie Enderle: What was the hardest adjustment when you first arrived in Bloomington?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: The culture. And with the culture I mean of course the language too that comes there but the things that I did like in Spain, don't know how to express this in a better way, but the things that I did in Spain with 16 people or from 14 to like 18 people doesn't experience till they go to college and I have experienced that before.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: So like I was coming to a place where like all the things that these people are experiencing right now from 18 to 22, I already experienced from 14 to 18. So it was like going like backwards. It was like, you cannot go to any like terrace or bar and just have a beer. Like just having a beer, like for me something normal

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: the life outside, being able to walk, being able to have life outside of the house or like, you know, ⁓ with your friends. it's not as as in Spain, you know, in here. ⁓ So just the simple things of, ⁓ of, of you have all food adjustment. ⁓

Hallie Enderle: Yeah.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: the food in the US comparing to like Spain. Because the US is very big, but the food from the Midwest, guess. ⁓ And then, and then yeah, just the schedule, like me in Spain eating at nine p.m., like having dinner at nine p.m., 10 p.m. And then here I'm having dinner when I had lunch in Spain. So all these like things that I grew up just suddenly just changed. So I feel like the adjustment of culture of like, okay, this is different. I need to adjust because I need to, if not, you know, there's no, there's not, how am I gonna go back? But all these things that I'm saying, I'm glad that this is like, it's like, experiencing this change of culture, like it helped me a lot to like understand other cultures, other people, but also like me growing as a person, you know?

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: and meeting different people that do really different things for me. I was used to people maybe more similar to me because we grew up in the same way. And then going to a completely different place and getting to know other people and other things. I grew as a person with that, even though it doesn't look like, it's a simple thing. now that I'm five years in the US, now I feel like, OK, I grew so much of experiencing this.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: different culture.

Hallie Enderle: Hey, you changed so much. mean, I remember you traveling olive oil. How long did you do that? Like, I'm serious. I was like, that makes so much sense. Yeah.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. No, no, I know. For me, toast with ⁓ olive oil and tomato. It's not like tomato. Actually, tomato is just a basic thing that I had all the time. That's when I think of the things of different cultures, appreciating things that I had in Spain that I took for granted. And then I came here. I'm not saying he's bad, but I... ⁓ I feel like, oh, this is like, I don't have this in here. So whenever I go to Spain, I'm going to appreciate this more because, you take things for granted all the time. And that was like, when I came here, I was like, oh my God, like this is a thing. Like it happens to all the time. Even now, this is small thing that I would like used to like love it. Now I'm like, oh, or at the end I appreciate it. I'm like, I don't like this. And now I'm like, oh my God, I love this, you know? And same when I go back to Spain, like there's like, it's both ways. It's like, oh, I like this from here.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: But yeah, I used to travel olive oil all the time because I like my toast with olive oil. But yeah, I it was the whole year I traveled with my olive oil because So was like...

Hallie Enderle: Yeah.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: I was putting my olive oil everywhere, people were like, what are you doing? I'm like just putting my olive oil on my toast And they're like, exactly.

Hallie Enderle: You're like, no, what are you doing? Olive oil is good for you. That's so funny.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: ⁓

Hallie Enderle: So talk me about what homesickness ⁓ actually looks ⁓ in season. And then ⁓ how did that change ⁓ over your career?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Mm. Yeah, well, my freshman year, was, of course, like I was crying. I was crying ⁓ every single day. Like I remember a day that I was like, I was like crying. And if I was not crying, actually I was crying inside. ⁓ But it was so tough because I didn't have like a solid group. was like ⁓ getting to know people, not being able to be myself to be myself, but getting to know new people like. It's like they throw you in a place and you need to figure it out. when you don't, you're not gonna figure it out till like you are like four or five months in. So those four or five months in were in season. So it was really tough because, I couldn't be myself. the only moment that I was able to like be myself was like calling my family all the time. So I called my family every day. I still do that too, but I call my family every day in FaceTime. And I was like talking to them about everything. ⁓ So that was my way to have my family near me. But it was really, really tough. My freshman year, swear, was like, get me home, get me home now. I enjoyed the season, but I'm a human, and that was really tough. So was calling my family all the time, and I didn't have a solid group of people. And then it went to my sophomore year.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: that I was able to like show more who I am. And I need to say this because like, thanks to like the coaching staff, because like Rachel, Kevin, like you, like ⁓ Steve, like Matt, all of you guys, Amanda, Eddie, like all of you guys helped me a lot to like show people who I am when I couldn't. Like, and it was like, I remember a talk that I had in a place with like, it was like Rachel. and it was the whole team. I couldn't say it with my words, she like talk about me, like things that I cannot say myself. And she explained to the people and people were like, ⁓ okay, like, you know, ⁓ people realize maybe a little bit like, ⁓ Candela, like, didn't know this But Rachel explained later, like how I see life and I couldn't explain it. So that helped me a lot to ⁓ have more confidence in myself and start being myself more. And then I found my group throughout my sophomore and then my junior year. I found my group where I could be myself. And that ⁓ helps you too a lot of being homesick. this goes along because, yeah, I'm homesick because I miss my family and my friends, but I have all this support system that it's also my family, my second family. And that's when I was like, I don't know, I was happier. was like calling my family, but I was like calling them not crying. I was calling them being like, okay, I did this, I did this. Like it was everything good things were happening on my lap happening sort of like crying. And, that's, ⁓ that was like my sophomore, ⁓ more of my junior and senior year ⁓ that I homesick because I feel like I'm always going to be homesick whenever I'm far away from home. ⁓ But the way that these like help me just like having these friendships and connections and relationship with people. gets it gets so much better. And I'm happy here. I mean, I haven't been home for a year and a half almost. ⁓ I'm ⁓ like and I'm not, you know. ⁓ But it's just like something that helped me a lot. like, it's just ⁓ knowing that have a second family here and you have people here that also support you.

Hallie Enderle: I remember Rachel pointing out to your teammates, have you checked in on Candy? Have you asked her about what her family... Yes, exactly. And I remember her recounting this to me and being like, well, I know she has a sister. I know about her family, but we had time in the car picking up in the airport. I had these moments to get to know you, but realizing that...

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Do know she has sisters? Like, yeah. Yeah.

Hallie Enderle: Maybe your American teammates assumed that you went through the distance from family similar to them, not realizing it's not your you have time zones and you have an ocean and you can't go home for the weekend I mean, home is ⁓ over thousand dollars. to be able just see your people. ⁓ And it's still for such a short amount of time. ⁓ And I that.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Mm-hmm. And it's not... Yeah. Mm-hmm. it is. ⁓

Hallie Enderle: Rachel helping you communicate that perspective to your teammates.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Oh, Rachel saved my life. Yeah, was I will always like, I mean, I love her, of course, but like, like, whatever what she did to me, like, help me, it's just I cannot be more like I'm so so so grateful. Um, because because it just gave me not the confidence, like, helped me to be myself. Like, some of the worst thing that you can do,

Hallie Enderle: Yeah.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: not being able to be yourself. And that's one of the worst feelings you can have not being able to be yourself. ⁓ how she me and like, cause she knew like sometimes I'm not, I'm not gonna show, I don't want to show like in the core of like, if I'm like struggling, like I'm gonna, I'm always trying to like step aside, like just all the things that I'm feeling, like I have feelings, I have emotions, but like, I'm not gonna ⁓ let these whenever I'm in the core, like affect me. like,

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: I'm smiling all the time, that's who I am too, but that doesn't mean that if you see a person smiling, it's having fun, and I am having it. I'm not saying that I don't have it, but that doesn't mean that a person is just like... You don't need to check on that person, yeah you need to. I smile and I try my best to have a smile all the time and like, that doesn't mean that inside I'm not ⁓ struggling a lot. Because I am. the good thing about Brayton and you guys, you knew when I was like that even though I didn't try to show it. ⁓ So that helped a lot too. Yeah.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm, right. It's like all these things are kind of tying together, you know, like you talk about being the type of person that Intentionally has a mindset that looks at like what's going well. but sometimes that's harder for you and and ⁓ and that part of your personality can make it harder for to See maybe outwardly that

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Hallie Enderle: This is challenging for you in this transition to a new country and a new system of volleyball. Like, ⁓ my gosh, this is a side story. But I remember when the ball hit the ceiling and you and Mel both stopped playing. So for non-volleyball players in America, Internationally, if the ball hits the ceiling, it's dead. It's dead. And then Steve yelled at you ⁓ for stopping playing. And you and Mel were like,

Candela Alonso Corcelles: You need to stop. here you can still... Yes, yes. He was like, where are you? And I'm like, he just hit the ceiling. How am gonna keep going? And there's also so many different rules that I was like, why this person is doing that? There's different rules. I'm like, why? That was funny.

Hallie Enderle: It's art. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yes. So we've been like just like from the simplest simplest things to like olive oil to the rules of the game that you came to play like. I am lost. even though you someone really strove to ⁓ project calm and confidence and joy. ⁓

Candela Alonso Corcelles: yeah seriously the rotations is also the reason I'm like ugh help me This is

Hallie Enderle: you needed someone to still need someone to check in on you and help you tell your story, at least initially, so that way you could feel confidence to continue to learn the language. And now you're in a place, it seems like, where you can tell your story and you have such a beautiful group of people around you that continue to help you do that. So we've kind of already touched on this, but ⁓ I'm really curious ⁓ the mental health perspective ⁓ of international student And I guess, ⁓

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. exciting me, that helped me and support me exactly. Mm-hmm.

Hallie Enderle: I would love to hear first, ⁓ what is the perspective of mental health in Spain for athletes?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: I feel there is, but it's not super big. I talk more about mental health in the US than in Spain. I don't remember having mental talks with my coaches. I will not say that it's big. mean, hopefully it's getting bigger,

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: I feel like when I came to the US, I started thinking about that more because we had more talks and like the talk we have with you with Rachel, like about mental health that comes also with like ⁓ the amount of support that we in here in Indiana University. ⁓ But I haven't talked a lot about mental health in sports back in Spain, to be honest.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: there's so many things that ⁓ from Spain to here changed. Cause like the circumstances changed too. ⁓ And ⁓ me from like my comfort zone to coming here, there's all these things in my head. They're like, I'm not gonna say like, ⁓ I'm not gonna pay attention. No, like you need to pay attention, you know? Cause like this is, if it's happening right, it's gonna keep going like this. And I need to like. be able to know how to control them. And ⁓ that was also for me, from being comfortable to coming here and all these things going to my head. like, maybe I'm, don't know. Someone needs to take on me or I need to go and talk with someone that is gonna help me to control all these emotions and feelings that I'm having right now.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm. Mm hmm. So it sounds like those supports were newer, but it ended up being something that was helpful for you

Candela Alonso Corcelles: ⁓ yeah, no, it helped me a lot because there's so many things that are over me. Like, I cannot control every single thing of myself, you know, like there's things that are going to be like this. especially women, we have so many changes in our body, like hormones and everything, like it affects you. And there's so many things going on that I cannot control or like I can but I cannot. At this moment in my life, I cannot control this right now. So being able to like talk with someone and just ask for help. It's like, it's not that you have a promise that you, I wanna ask for help because like I cannot do this alone. So that helped me a lot, especially with like balancing like school, language, family, volleyball. pressure, like all these things ⁓ that we experience. It just helped me a lot, like honestly, like to talk about mental health and asking for help.

Hallie Enderle: Right, like you talk about this conversation where were you're about how you're really able to like authentically communicate yourself and you people to check in on you and how ⁓ that opportunity, it sounds like was really like pivotal and almost kind of the moment it sounds like you started to really build a home here in Bloomington. ⁓

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Exactly, that's something that I want to say right now that you tell me about home. ⁓ Home is home, you know, but now if I think about it, I'm like, what is my second home? And I will say Indiana is my second home. And I didn't like, I never thought about it before. Like I was like, I'm here for like four years and then I'm leaving. And like, because of what I build there, I call Indiana my second home. And that's something crazy to say for me, you know? I will say Indiana is my second home. I was like, ⁓ I'm here for like four years and then I'm leaving. And of what I build there, I call Indiana my second home. And ⁓ that's something crazy

Hallie Enderle: Yes, right. ⁓

Candela Alonso Corcelles: And calling Indiana my second home now that I'm here, I'm like, every time I go to Indiana night, I have the opportunity to play there against them. But ⁓ I'm like, I'm so excited because it's my second home. have my people here, my friends, my second family. And for me, Indiana is my second home. You know what I mean? And I wanted to say that because the idea I was thinking about it and I was talking with you when I went to see you guys, I was like, I'm so excited because this is my second home. Now I feel like it's my home because Spain is far away.

Hallie Enderle: Mm-hmm.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: So, you know, I got to the point to like, okay, this is my second home, like, because of what I built and like, it's more of that the relationship or like the family that I built there. So, you know.

Hallie Enderle: Yeah, getting to see you play against Indy Ignite at home was like, it did feel like I was like, our girl is home. Our girl is here. And that was the best. I also want to touch a little bit about you stayed all four years at Indiana and really in the last four to five years longer than that.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: I know, I'm like, I know. That was so Mm-hmm.

Hallie Enderle: The transfer portal has become something that has utilized by a lot of athletes to find their home and find the place where they feel like they belong. did you decide to continue to stay at Indiana all four years? Was that something that you thought about each year

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Well, I'm not gonna lie, my first year was really, really, really hard, because I was trying to figure out so many things of my new life. in my head, sometimes I was like, if I do this, like, I don't know, there were so many things going in my head that I was like, is this my place? Like, I know if it's my place. And I was struggling. I was calling my parents. I was like, I don't know what to do. Because all these things in my head, you know, of of my first four years in a different, completely different world. But then I stayed and that was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Just staying there, even though it was hard, because that helped me to like, okay, I realized this is really bad. I'm struggling so much, even though I have all these people and I'm not saying it was bad, no. It was me. just trying to battle all these different things. And then just staying there and committing there. And then just from there, it was like up. And I feel like it was sad was the, I come back again for, like the main thing. And one of the most important things for me is like the connections and the relationship that you build. And like, if I hadn't made all these relationship and like connections with people, like I would have left, you know? And like the thing that made me stay, it was. all the support system that I have from the team, the coaching staff, the players, but also from the community and like from the school. I, people that, I don't know, there was people in stopping me in the supermarket and it was like a, I don't know, a random person that, you know, like the support that you have not only from like your loved ones, like my friends and like the, from like the athletic department and then the community. Like that made me. realized like, okay, this is my second home. And I said before, like my family and my friends are so important for me. Like, I love being alone. I love my independence, but like, you can do both. Like I love that, but I also love spending time with my family and my friends. And for me, I feel like that support system was like, what it made me say, okay, this is my place, this is my second home. ⁓ So I say that's what it makes me. I didn't thought about like transferring at all. ⁓ after my second year. My first year I didn't even know what I was doing, so that doesn't count. ⁓ But yeah, I feel like the supporting system and how I build a family, that's the main thing that I was like, this is my place.

Hallie Enderle: Yeah, it sounds like the first year was like so wrought with like transition and challenge and just being able to be authentically yourself. And then as you started to build a community around you and feel that support from Indiana and Bloomington specifically, like some of my favorite memories are post game when I...

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, and then I'm blooming too.

Hallie Enderle: memories are post game when I... kid would tell me my players is Candy. Can I meet Candy? And I'd bring you over and you were always so excellent with these young ones. And they would just look at you and be like, this is the best day of my whole life. kid would tell me like, hey, my favorite players is Candy. Can I meet Candy? And I'd bring you over and you were always so excellent with these young ones. And they would just look at you and be like, this is the best day of my whole life. It was just, it was magical to see the community like really, really adore you.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yes. Yes. I know, I know, I know. It was magical. It's insane. It is, because like, I don't know, coming to a different place and like people coming to see like you and like then signing autographs and like people going to you and say like, I take a photo of you? Like, this is, this was crazy for me. Because like I've never done that before in my life and coming here, like people take that for granted. I'm like, this is crazy. Like a kid is like. these people are here for you and they want to feel like you are like a hero to them. And like you have that responsibility. Like these people are looking at like, looking up to me and I'm like, I'm like, I don't know. am, I'm like someone that they are looking for. I don't know. that looking for looking like, you know, like fans are like, like, I love you. Like your smile, like something that's stuck to me is like your smile, your vibe. Like, and that's one of like, that's what I want people to remember me, you know what I mean? Like, oh, your vibe, your smile, like that helped me a lot. And someone told me that I remember in Indiana and I was like, this is one of the like, you like, I don't know, I was like crying. was like, this isn't the you're telling me like I affect you, like not affect you, but like I change you somehow and I bring some joy and happiness to you. that's, that's like, I don't know, that's everything to me, you know, like being able to like, some parts of myself that I love, like enjoying life and like bringing happiness, like I'm taking that to other people and people are like seeing that for me, you know what I mean? And I just, that's like, I don't know, a gift. Yeah.

Hallie Enderle: Yeah, it sounds like your first year like that was sort of there, but it didn't really like build until you stayed every year and you just continue to feel more of that support and connection. I mean, you're an infectious person. Like you can't help but like feel joy around you. And I felt like the more you were able to communicate who you were, the more other people could really experience that. And that that seemed to be like make your your experience really what it was and create a second home in Bloomington.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, exactly.

Hallie Enderle: when you realize were going to become one of the ⁓ winningest Hoosiers in program history?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: You know, ⁓ I, ⁓ this gonna weird, but like I, ⁓ I mean, ⁓ the, the, those things, the, the, not the stats, but like all these things of like, ⁓ the, like a thousand kills or like all these winning things. Like I have no idea. Like, ⁓ and I'm glad I don't, I didn't have idea and I don't cause like, I don't play for that. You know what I mean? Like. It's so great and so amazing that I had like when they told me that that was amazing. But like, it's not that I played for that. I play like, I love this sport and I play because I love it. And I played because I love our own people that I love. And I love it because I like my family is also a volleyball family. Like volleyball for me is just so many things. It's like friendship. It's like part of who I am, if that makes sense. ⁓ And my family, my parents, my aunt, my grandpa, it's just... All of that, you know, all of that is just like, yeah, the win is the loser. But all of that comes to like the main thing for me that is like, enjoy this. And whenever they told me that it's so nice, but it's also because of all the effort that like my family has put on me. you know, my grandparents, like my grandparents, my grandparents coming to see me every single game. And like my family, my mom, my dad, like bring going, going to practice every day. And, and also the people in here, like the people that I play with, like the coaches that I had in my whole career, the people that I played since I was like 11 years. like that is for me. All those, all those, all those like winning things are because of that main thing. You know, if that makes sense. And, and, and I love it. And, and, and I feel like it's just, it makes me want to cry every time I think about like the winning is like the winningness person in Indiana. Like that for me is insane. Cause like that winning thing behind that there's like a world of like moments, happy moments, sad moments, just a lot of emotions and feelings behind that effort, like everything. hearing that makes me, makes me like, like, I don't know, not cry, but like being so emotional about it, because behind that there's so many amazing things happening ⁓ that made me who I am and made me win all those things. But I couldn't do that without all the amazing support that I had. ⁓ And that's for me, like I honestly didn't know till like today that that happened. ⁓ I don't ask for it because I didn't even know. ⁓ But it's everything that comes behind that, it's what I celebrate.

Hallie Enderle: looking ⁓ at ⁓ your career. ⁓ If could your self anything, ⁓ would you to her?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Mm-hmm. I trust the process because it looks like everything is black. There's nothing after it. There's a point where was like, this is bad, bad, bad. You think there's so many bad things going on and happening. There's not going be an end to this. So later you see the future completely black. There's nothing there. ⁓ And I will say like... Trust it. Trust it because it's gonna happen. Like it's gonna happen and like don't quit because like at moments you want to quit like I wanted to quit a hundred million times in general with so many things in my life but especially with this I wanted to quit because I was like I don't see anything behind it like there's just black black black um but it's just like trust trust it it's gonna happen because it is gonna happen and and that's like the main lesson that I learned from this is just like trust it because it's gonna happen and if it doesn't happen It's because of something, because of a reason. trust, because the good things are going to come. If you keep doing, if you can, having effort and trusting and just doing your job and working things, working in sport, working ⁓ studies and ⁓ loving your loved ones, it's going to happen. So trust it.

Hallie Enderle: And really even your choice to come to America and play volleyball was like stepping off into the unknown. And it made sense that you question yourself, but

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Hallie Enderle: Now as you look back, you've built such a rich community So trusting in that process, even though was your 19-year-old self probably would be so mad to hear that. ⁓ You should be like, ⁓ frick There's no olive oil here. ⁓ There is no Malbec. There's no Malbec here. Forget you. ⁓

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Let's try saying the person. He'll be like, I know. I know. I know. it's just... It's not really that I'm not really on it. But yeah, try it because he's going to come. 100%.

Hallie Enderle: Hahaha Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. That's amazing. Now, how do you manage that like uncertainty of like what comes next now that you're in professional volleyball?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah, that's also really tough because I feel like something that helped me a lot is just being in the moment. There's so many things that, of course, you're going to be concerned about because it's my job, this is how I live, you know what I mean? And it's normal to think about the future. What am I doing next? Because that's normal and that's human. But I try not to let that affect the present because that happens to me like I've been especially like this moment I've been affected by like ⁓ this and this and things that future things or things that I cannot control and I've been really overwhelmed like last month specifically because there's so many uncertain things and and and it's really hard because you cannot control these things what I can go and I was not enjoying the present I remember I was like I'm not enjoying what I'm doing right now I'm just concerned about things in the in future and it's normal but like I don't want it to get to a point that it actually affects me, my moment, the moment that I'm right now. So I struggle a little bit, but I just try to just, there's things that you cannot control. Like if I don't play good right now, or if I don't like do my best right now, I'm not gonna have that opportunity in the future. So why am gonna concern about like what is happening next if I'm not like in the present, like giving my 100%. So it all comes to like. focus on the now and then the future is gonna come. Because if I'm working right now, if I'm like doing my 100%, practicing every day, like showing up every day, that's gonna give me a path in the future of like good opportunities. So I feel like just focusing on the moment right now, that's like the main thing that helps me to like all that uncertainty, that is not gonna go away, never ever, especially with this job. But I feel like focusing on the present And something that I do a lot is like also like journaling and like putting all these emotions, grinding all these emotions out try be more present. that's like what I do. because it's going to there. It's not going to change.

Hallie Enderle: if you could ⁓ design a support system for international student athletes, what would that look like? How we as American institutions better support international student

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah, I feel like ⁓ what I said before, the communication between like me not knowing any English and like talking to you, being more like, like supportive about it and not quitting. I'm not saying not quitting, but like, it's hard for me to like communicate with you in another language. And like, if I know that you are not interesting at all, and like, you don't want to like help me, I'm not gonna like waste my time, I'm gonna give up. So that's like really important for me, like knowing, like helping the person to like communicate better, ⁓ And ⁓ something that really helped ⁓ in the beginning, like will tell you more after, but in the beginning, ⁓ feeling more like home, like maybe like finding this group of like, ⁓ like, I don't know, Spanish people, like this group that ⁓ been It's something that is happening, like it's similar to yours, for example, international people like having a group, like I feel like Indiana does a really good job, like it's called Global Hoosiers, like we meet once or like twice, and then you meet with people that like in your same situation. I feel more like home, just people like Spanish, but a group of Spanish people, like people that I can talk in Spanish, like if I talk with a person in Spanish, it doesn't matter, like South American Spanish, like I don't care. That also helps me to be more like at home, because it's so nice to be able to like, I'm talking too much, especially at the beginning, I'm talking too much English, I cannot be myself, but then I'm right now with this group of like Spanish speaker that I can actually like just debrief and like talk. ⁓ And then also like something that really helped me, that this is more like my junior year is Just like the bonding of people, like as you say, the community, like now that people can get to know you more, it's just like that bonding of like relationship, like you and me going for a dinner, like getting to know more people, knowing more about you, like something that helped me a lot is just like, I want to know. What's your name with your sister? Your life, what you have been through? Because that's going to make us be more engaged, be more vulnerable. whenever I was being vulnerable ⁓ and people were being vulnerable, there's this bonding just because we are humans, I feel like this bonding us together show. ⁓ sharing things that make me feel like at home, being able to like show my vulnerabilities and like not being judged. So I think those are like the main things that, I know it's gonna be hard, like it's not gonna be easy, but at least those things helped me to be more comfortable and to feel like home as an international,

Hallie Enderle: Right,

Candela Alonso Corcelles: ⁓ But like, I remember talking with Melissa, like, we had zero English. And like, I was talking with an American person, like, I was talking in English with an American person. And I was like, I'm not understanding you. But I was talking with Melissa that our English was horrible. And we communicate each other. like, I don't know what's happening, but there's something here that it's working. And I feel like we were kind of in the same position, like we are having these experiences. communicating in a way, like nonverbal communication in a way that we understood each other. And that's amazing. We both don't have any idea of English, but somehow we're communicating in a different way. And it works, you know? I felt her like ⁓ one of my best friends in Indiana.

Hallie Enderle: And so it seems like having that connection with another ⁓ person who understands, ⁓ like at least in some capacity, what it's like to come so far away try to be a high level athlete really, really helped you manage that.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: In this simi- yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And so one more thing about it I understand that people like haven't gone through what I've been through ⁓ don't expect ⁓ my teammates are like from the States to understand me. Because if it doesn't that doesn't happen you, you understand me. Like, if you don't go overseas and then go to another country, you can understand me and then it's fine. And that's not what I'm asking. It's just like, being more patient and knowing that even though you don't understand, you are open. You are opening and you're open to me and trying to help me. But I don't expect you to understand, but kind respect it or help me in a way. I don't expect anyone to understand me that doesn't have been through what I've been through. Yeah.

Hallie Enderle: Right, right, kind of coming back to that patience and commitment to getting to know you and ⁓ making feel like I'm going to help you ⁓ express you are and make sure that ⁓ even that is challenging for you that I'm going to do my best to make you feel seen. That seems like something that we can all work to do ⁓ a bit better. That's ⁓ perfect, advice. ⁓

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Mm-hmm. Yeah. ⁓ Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Hallie Enderle: I just want to wrap it up and you've had so many wonderful and insightful things to say and I've really enjoyed our conversation. What I really want to know is if there's another 19-year-old in Spain listening, considering coming to the US, what would you tell her? I we already talked about what you would tell yourself, but what would you tell that girl?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: love it. Me too. ⁓ I would say gonna be challenging but this is ⁓ one of the ⁓ experiences that I've in my life and I know I'm young ⁓ and I have so things, even when I'm 80 I'm gonna still experience new things but I feel like ⁓ this is one of best experiences you're ever gonna have and ⁓ it's gonna take time ⁓ maybe like realize because was like, ⁓ no. ⁓ But then now that it's my fifth year in here, I realize how good this experience has been to me as a person. I grow so much. And maybe I'm 22, but there's people that are 30 or 40 that haven't experienced this. And I've experienced this in a young age. I know it's going to be hard, and it's going to be really, really hard. You're going to be times that you're going to But like what this gives you, like you as an individual is insane. And I kind of be more grateful like the amount of like growth that I had and like that helped me to know me better. Like now I feel like I know myself so good. And like this, but that doesn't even like that they're like gonna die and they don't know themselves 100%. And I'll say like, I don't know myself 100%, but I know myself so good. So I would say do it because it's going to change your life. It's going to give you so many tools and so many good things for the future, for the present and like so many relationships that you're going to build. ⁓ me personally, like the relationship that I've built, they are going to be for life. And that's one of the most grateful things that I have from all this experience. So ⁓ do it. Just hesitate. Just do it, even though it's going to be hard.

Hallie Enderle: amazing. And we've already shared like so much incredible advice and I hope that this conversation is helpful for only other international student athletes to feel seen and heard, ⁓ know, ⁓ and staffs about how they conceptualize being able to support ⁓ athletes because I think especially in ⁓ we only going to see more ⁓ young women come from abroad ⁓ to and train and play in the Unit3d States. So ⁓ well.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Hallie Enderle: I want to thank you. You've already shared so much wonderful parts of yourself. Is there anything else that you want to share as we wrap up?

Candela Alonso Corcelles: Oh, wait, just one thing that I always say, sometimes I like need to tell myself to believe it, but just like, like, enjoy your life. And I know, it sounds, silly, but like, enjoy the little things and the moments and, and, and alone too, like, enjoy your time alone, get to know yourself, because that's super important. Like, that helped me a lot. Like now I know myself so good that like, I can actually build good relationships, safe relationships Because if you don't know yourself, ⁓ you're not to build really good relationships. Whatever it is, relationships with love relationships, friendship relationships, that. And enjoy the little moments and ⁓ just have and be happy. That's ⁓

Hallie Enderle: And for those people that know you, know that you absolutely live all of that. Well, Candy it has been so amazing to get to talk to you, not only because you are the winningest Hoosier and you have been, I mean, one of the most parts of a great journey for last like four years of Indiana volleyball and there's more to come. But you so much for sharing your experience and your wisdom with us here at Unit3d.

Candela Alonso Corcelles: you Thank you. Thank you so much, Hallie I love it. I love to talk to you.

Hallie Enderle: I